Banknotes are artifacts that open a rare window to symbols, iconography, metaphors, and images. They reveal how a nation views itself and illustrates what it wants to project to the world and to its citizens as its shared collective identity. They are excellent examples of art with a purpose--design. There is a lot to be learned from imagery on money but is hardly noticed when it's exchanged.

The social, psychological, ethical facets of money get lost in contrast to its economic character. The neglect of this subject in academic literature is particularly surprising given the prominence of this issue in public discussion in Europe with the recent launch of the Euro. 

This paper looks at banknotes being artistic, cultural, and symbolic, not just financial, icons, by focusing on the Euro and its imagery as a medium of communicating the new European transnational identity.