The euro diffusion problem.

On January 2002 twelve European countries have welcomed the euro as their new coin. The euro coins have a national side, which is different for every country. On top of that three ministates San Marino, the Vatican and Monaco have issued coins with their own image. So there are fifteen different euro coins that can be used in every one of those 15 countries. Therefore, unlike in the past, the coins will not be collected and brought back to their home country. The coins will slowly but surely be spreaded over the 15 countries. This is the diffusion of the euro, the euro diffusion.

Because the Belgian and Dutch euro coins form only a fraction of the total number of euro coins, it is to be expected that foreign euros will replace most of the native euros. Interesting questions are: how quickly will the foreign euros take the place of the Dutch euros? How many French coins will we find in one year's time in our wallets? But other questions are also possible!

We want to study the diffusion of the euro in two ways, namely both practically and theoretically. The practical side consists of organizing measurements done by school classes and indivuals in the Netherlands and Belgium.

For the theoretical side of the problem we call in the help of the Study group. Unlike the usual way, the problem is not fixed; during the week of the Study group, we are free to raise interesting questions and hopefully answer them as well. The science magazine Natuur & Techniek is very interested in the discussion on this problem, and will use the results of the Study group in an article. A preliminary article already appeared in the January issue.

The eurodiffusion project is an initiative by the Study group and the science magazine Natuur en Techniek.