A joint exhibition, organised by the European Central Bank (ECB) and the Deutsche Bundesbank, was opened in the Friedenssaal (peace hall) of the historical Rathaus (town hall) in Osnabrück on 25 January 2015. Lord Mayor of Osnabrück Wolfgang Griesert, Bundesbank Executive Board member Carl-Ludwig Thiele, De Nederlandsche Bank Executive Director Frank Elderson and ECB Executive Board member Yves Mersch all spoke at the opening ceremony.

The exhibition, which will run from 25 January until 3 May in the Cultural History Museum in Osnabrück, shows the history of the single currency, which is now used in 19 countries. It clearly explains the origins of cash and its continuous process of evolution. It also illustrates how modern banknotes have become hi-tech products which offer a high level of protection against counterfeiting. Alongside the euro banknotes, various euro coins are also on show.

Unity in diversity

Around 100 invited guests from politics, business and associations convened in the more than 500-year-old historical town hall of Osnabrück before then visiting the exhibition in the Cultural History Museum. The speakers referred to the Peace of Westphalia, which was signed more than 350 years ago in the Friedenssaal of the town hall and ended the Thirty Years' War. ECB Executive Board member Yves Mersch noted that the continent had succeeded, mainly in the 70 years after the end of the Second World War, in gradually achieving peaceful coexistence. He saw the euro as a tangible symbol of this unity: "The bridges and arches depicted on our banknotes symbolise European integration. They represent the many aspects that join us within the currency union and that this once-fractious continent has succeeded in overcoming even extremely deep divides, as the most recent crisis has also shown" stressed Mr Mersch.

Money is trust

Carl-Ludwig Thiele, the Bundesbank Executive Board member responsible for cash management, explained that money stands for trust. "Those responsible for its stability and trustworthiness must never forget this. And they must never disappoint the trust placed in them by millions of people" said Thiele. He noted the importance of strengthening the single currency in terms of monetary policy, economically and not least of course physically. The exhibition mainly focuses on this last point. "To improve the euro banknotes through new security features", remarked the Bundesbank Executive Board member.

The Cultural History Museum in Osnabrück is open Tuesdays to Fridays from 11.00 to 18.00 and Saturdays and Sundays from 10.00 to 18.00. Every first Thursday of the month, it is open until 20.00. Admission is €5 for adults and free for children under 18 years of age. Admission is free for all visitors on 1 and 5 March, 30 April and 3 May.