Five days to say goodbye to your old money

In just five days, on 1 January 2002, the euro will become legal tender in 12 countries in the European Union and replace 12 national currencies. Starter packs of euro coins are already available from post offices and banks, although they are not legal tender until next Tuesday. Euro notes will not be available to the public before January 1st. From then, the euro notes and coins can be used in all 12 countries joining the euro: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Ita...