Twenty-six years ago today, on January 1, 1999 (November 14, 1998 lunar calendar), the euro was born. The Frankfurt Exchange replaced the "Enable the Euro" banner. On January 1, 1999, the euro was officially issued within the member states of the European Union. It is a supranational currency with independence and legal tender status. According to the Maastricht Treaty, the euro will be officially circulated on January 1, 2002. There are currently seven draft euro samples issued by the European Monetary Agency. The denominations are 5 euros (gray), 10 euros (red), 20 euros (blue), 50 euros (orange), 100 euros (green), 200 euros (yellow) and 500 euros (fuchsia). The face is made up of three basic architectural elements: windows, gates and bridges, respectively, representing the spirit of openness, cooperation and communication between the European Union. French crowds gather in front of Paris Bourse, France, to celebrate the official start of trading on the day of the euro. On an ice rink in Brussels, an ice skater holds a ring marked with the euro-Belgian franc exchange rate. About 10,000 people gather around a huge euro symbol outside the European Central Bank in Frankfurt to celebrate the smooth launch of the euro