On 2002 January 1, the Euro will become the common currency of 300 million citizens of 12 European countries. From this date millions more children and adults will be able to enjoy playing and learning with their own "magic pennies".
On 2002 January 1, the Euro will become the common currency of 300 million citizens of 12 European countries. From this date millions more children and adults will be able to enjoy playing and learning with their own "magic pennies".
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The coins of Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, Portugal, Spain will all be similar except for the design on one of the faces which will vary. The size, shape, weight and material of the coins of each denomination will be similar. All the 1, 2 and 5 cent coins will be of copper-plated steel, similar to the existing 1 and 2 British and Irish pennies and the German 1 pfennig.
There are other European coins that are presently also magnetic to some extent, because of their content of iron or nickel. However, their use educationally has been limited because of their poor magnetic attractiveness relative to their mass, the design of their rims and/or their high monetary value. The properties of the new 1 cent will be close to those of existing 1 pfennig. The diameters of the 2 and 5 cent are slightly smaller and slightly larger, respectively, than the 1 penny.
Children and adults in Germany and Ireland are fortunate. Although the present 1 pfennig, 1 and 2 penny coins will soon cease to be legal tender, they will continue to be of excellent value as learning aids/ manipulatives. Perhaps many of these old German or Irish "magic pennies" should be saved or exported, rather than be scrapped. Many adults and children around the world would welcome them!
ARRIBA © Magic Penny Trust, 2001
