1. Basic knowledge of the number and denominations of euro coins and notes
   
   
   • By age : In all 3 countries, the middle age band respondents are slightly more knowledgeable than the other 2 age groups; if we can speak of "knowledge", given the rather high level of incorrect answers !
     
     Even though younger people are supposed to have been a privileged target public both of mainstream information campaigns and at school, a very high number of them do not know these basic pieces of information : ranging from 50 % in one country not knowing the number of euro notes to 95 % in another country not knowing the denominations of euro coins.
     
     
   • By visual impairment : Blind respondents clearly appear less knowledgeable than their partially sighted peers, for comparable age ranges.
     
     
2. Attributing the right denomination (value) to the right coin
   
   
   • There were no numerals on the replica coins which we received from the Mints for the purpose of our interviews. This meant that we could in no way try and determine to what extent partially sighted persons would be able to read, or guess values, from even partial visual perception. Similarly, at this stage we have absolutely no means of assessing whether any of the numerals would be, to some extent, perceptible by touch for blind people.
     
     
   • Not surprisingly, the values confused most frequently were 50 cent and 1 euro, along with the 5 cent and 10 cent, as 72 and 65 respondents respectively confused them (39 % and 35 % of all respondents). Size however is not the paramount answer to all problems, since 9 % of respondents confused the 2 and 5 cent coins, the 20 and 50 cent coins and the 1 euro and 2 euro coins, when the size logic was applied.
     
     
   • By visual impairment : The type of visual impairment plays an important role. The most striking example is that 43 % of blind compared with 25 % of partially sighted respondents mistook the 50 cent coin for the 1 euro coin and vice-versa.
     
     
   • By visual impairment and age : It is worth noting that, unlike for blind respondents, where the pattern shows a much greater consistency across all age bands (40 % - 35 % - 36 %), there is a wide variation between the three age bands in the partially sighted group, where the confusion rate considerably increases with age. Confusion rates between the 5 cent / 10 cent for instance, reaches 16 % for younger respondents, 24 % for the middle age band and 53 % for older respondents.
     

Who has a treasure like mine ?

• The lead player holds a purse containing a complete set of 8 coins, and each participant receives a purse containing (at least) one coin.
  
  
• The lead player takes a coin from his purse (the "treasure" for children), introduces it verbally using a multisensory approach and announces its value.
  
  
• He then passes his "treasure" to each participant who, in turn, observes it and puts into words what he perceives.
  
  
• When all participants have observed the coin, the lead player asks "Who has a treasure like mine in his purse ?"
  
  
• The participant who thinks he has found in his purse the same "treasure" as that of the lead player gives it to the lead player, who then checks that it is the same coin. If it is, the participant "wins another treasure" (receives another coin from the lead player, which is drawn from the third set of coins).
  
  

• If participants describe the coins in their own words, the trainers/leaders should know the correct terminology: for example, they refer to the "edge" of a coin; the edge of the 10 cent coin is described in European terminology as "finely scalloped".
  
  
• This activity combines verbal description and sensory perception on the part of the lead player and the other participants, who have in their hands the coin described by the lead player and can compare it to the one(s) they have in their own purse.

Objective : identification of euro coins - memorisation
Type of visual impairment : blind and/or partially sighted
For : groups of 3-9
Age : children-senior citizens

Portrait of the euro coins

• The lead player goes behind the screen, observes the coin he has chosen and describes it in detail, without mentioning the value.
  
  
• During this time, the other participants try and find in their purses the coin corresponding to the description given by the lead player. When one player thinks he/she has found it, he/she interrupts the lead player and announces the value of the coin.
  
  
• If he/she has the same coin in his hand as the lead player, and if he/she has given the correct value, he/she gives his coin to the lead player.
  
  
• The winner is the first one to get rid of all the coins in his/her purse.
  
  

• If all the children receive the same coins, their speed of reaction is the key; or the leader distributes the coins at random to the children, and chance and speed of reaction both become factors.
• Simplified : the lead player announces the value of the coin in order to extend the scope for matching by the participants.
  
  

• The objective is similar to that of "Who has a treasure like mine ?". However, the accent is more on the verbal description by the lead player and the remembering by the other participants of the characteristics of the coins. Sensory perception is no longer associated with verbal description for finding out the coin and the value of the coin is no longer given by the lead player.
  
  
• It is of course worthwhile for the leader to :
  
  · indicate, if necessary, the identifying characteristics ;
  
  · choose, if necessary, the coins which the lead player is to describe on the basis of series (1-2-5 cent, 10-20-50 cent, 1-2 euro) or of touch (e.g. the 10 cent coin followed by the 50 cent coin, as they both have the same type of edge).
  
  
• This activity is not as easy as it seems, as the lead player has to describe a coin "in isolation" and not in comparison with other coins.
  

Objective: identification of euro coins or notes - discovery
Type of visual impairment : blind and/or partially-sighted
For : groups of 15 or more
Age : all ages - particularly children and adults

"Identity card" for euro coins and notes

• Participants are split into small groups of two-four, so that there are at least six groups (cf. six criteria).
  
  
• Each group receives at least one set of 8 coins and 7 notes.
  
  
• Each participant rapidly explores the coins and/or notes in order to propose criteria for observation and classification.
  
  
• The leader notes all ideas and proposals arising from the brainstorming. Following the brainstorming, each group chooses one observation criterion.
  
  
• Each group then notes its observations in relation to the chosen criterion.
  
  
• They are then pooled in order to produce an "identity card" for each note and coin. Where appropriate (depending on the type of visual impairment of his audience), the leader notes the discoveries in a large dual-entry table (ensuring, however, that everything written down is also spoken).
  
  

Aim : identification of euro coins - discovery/memorisation
Type of visual handicap : blind and/or partially-sighted
For : groups of two-four
Age : all ages - particularly children and elderly people

Collect Eight

• Preparation for the game :
  
  · Place a set of eight euro coins on the red rectangles rounded off on the inside along the course of the game. The other four sets of eight coins remain in a purse ;
  
  · each player takes a "results" card with a space reserved for each of the eight euro coins, chooses his token and places it in the "start" field ;
  
  · the aim of the game is to be the first to complete the card with the eight different euro coins.
  
  
• In turn, the players throw the die and move their token forwards or backwards by the number of fields indicated on the die. The player has a choice of whether to move forwards or backwards.
  
  
• If the player places his token on a field containing a euro coin, he examines it, identifies its value, looks for the same coin in the purse containing the four sets of euro coins and places it on his card in the hole corresponding to the value of his coin.
  
  
• If the player places his token on a "hazard" field, there are certain actions he must carry out :
  
  · a blue arrow in the direction of travel: advance four fields ;
  · a green arrow in the opposite direction to the direction of travel : go back four fields ;
  · a lightning flash with granular texture: return a coin already collected ;
  · a yellow field with lines allows the player to choose a coin in the purse (his choice is to be indicated before the coin is taken).
  
  
• The winner is the player who manages to place his token on the "finish" field having collected all eight coins in the set.
  
  

• The leader may, if necessary, indicate the identifying characteristics himself
  
  
• The leader may, if necessary, choose to place only a few coins on the board, proceeding either by sets or by tactile matching (e.g. the 10 cent and 50 cent coins, as both have the same type of edge).
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  Objective : identification of coins - memorisation
  Type of visual impairment : blind and/or partially sighted
  Type of training : groups of 2 to 8
  Age : all ages

  Handling Euro coins "in context"

  
  
  Objectives : to learn to handle euro coins in a situation as close as possible to a real purchasing context, for example, in a grocer's (cf. with small amounts, as we are dealing with coins)
  
  Material : at least 2 sets of 8 coins per participant
  
  Number of participants : from 2 to 8 participants
  
  Procedure :
  
  
  • Using your imagination, and as appropriate for your public, simulate more or less practical purchasing situations with varying degrees of difficulty
    
    
  • Begin with situations where the "buyer" has to give an exact amount to the "seller", each having to check the correctness of the amount given/received
    
    
  • Continue with situations where the "buyer" does not necessarily give the correct amount; the "seller" thus first has to determine the amount he has been given, before potentially returning any change.
    
    
  Variations :
  
  
  • Simplified: each participant has a single full set of 8 coins
    
    
  • More realistic : each participant has a purse prepared beforehand
    
    
  • Complicated : each participant has notes and coins at the same time
    
    
  First remark : during the interviews, after having "paired" and attributed the denomination to the coins, 25 % of people over 60 years of age requested not to even attempt this exercise because they were afraid of failing… This clearly leads us to anticipate that a great many training sessions will probably be required…
  
  Of the people who carried out the exercise, confusion rates were as follows :
  
  2 cents / 5 cents : 29 %
  5 cents / 10 cents : 26 %
  10 cents / 20 cents : 9 %
  10 cents / 50 cents : 12 %
  20 cents / 50 cents : 28 %
  50 cents / 1 euro : 24 %
  1 euro / 2 euros : 22 %
  
  The people from the middle age range were the most capable : "only" a third of them made mistakes, and they made fewer than people in the other two age bands.
  
  BY VISUAL IMPAIRMENT AND AGE
  
  Younger age (7 - 18) :
  
  Up to 100 % of the younger blind respondents confused the 5 cent and 10 cent coins and 60 % the 20 cent and 50 cent coins, the 50 cent and 1 euro coins and the 1 euro and 2 euro coins (2).
  
  Among the younger partially sighted respondents, 45 % made mistakes.
  
  Middle age (19 - 59) :
  
  Blind respondents in particular hardly made any mistakes, except between the 2 cent and the 5 cent coins (15 %) - which are quite small to handle - and, as previously, between the 5 cent and 10 cent coins (23 %).
  
  Partially sighted respondents seemed to have problems discriminating between the 2 cent and 5 cent coins, the 20 cent and 50 cent coins and the 50 cent and 1 euro coins.
  
  Older age (over 60) :
  
  In the older groups, both partially sighted and blind respondents particularly require our attention, since confusion rates for most coins rank from 11 % to an average of about one third, and up to 60 % in certain cases. Among this group, 74 % made mistakes; 39 % confused 4 pairs of coins ; up to 6 pairs of coins were confused.
  
  CONCLUSION
  
  The people questioned had told us that one of their greatest fears was the identification and handling of Euro coins and notes. Unfortunately, tests confirmed this fear.
  
  In spite of the helpful identification features of the euro coins, included thanks to the excellent working relations between the Mints and the European Blind Union, learning to handle the coins will still have to be supervised. This applies in particular to the younger and older groups, but also to the middle age band respondents, and at least as much to partially sighted as to blind people.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  Objective : how to identify Euro coins ?
  
  Identification Features and Methods

  
  
  Features of the euro coins
  
  There are 8 coins - with the value of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 Euro cents ; 1 Euro and 2 Euro. The reverse face of each coin, which shows the numeral, has a European design, common throughout all the European countries. The opverse of each coin has a national face, which varies from country to country.
  
  The coins can be divided into three groups, which share similar design elements :
  
  
  • the lower value coins - 1, 2, 5, cents
    
  • the middle value coins - 10, 20, 50 cents
    
  • the higher value coins - 1, 2 Euro
    
    
  All the coins feature a large numeral showing their value, but the position is different for each group :
  
  
  • On the lower value coins, the numeral is found in the top left hand quarter of the coin. The number is followed by the words Euro Cent, in capitals, at the top of the coin, with the word "cent" appearing directly below the word "Euro" .
    
    
  • On the middle value coins, the numeral takes up the right half of the coin.
    
    
  • On the higher value coins, the large numeral fills the left half of the coin.
    
    
  
  The lower value coins are very light. They are made of copper and are a reddish colour.
  
  
  • The 1 cent coin is the smallest and lightest coin. It has a smooth edge. It is 16.25 mm in diameter, 1.36 mm thick and weighs 2.3 grams.
    
    
  • The 2 cent coin also has a smooth edge, but is the only coin to have a groove scored around its circumference. It is 18.75 mm in diameter, 1.36 mm thick and weighs 3 grams.
    
    
  • The 5 cent coin is the largest coin to have a smooth edge. It is 21.25 mm in diameter, 1.36 mm thick and weighs 3.9 grams.
    
    
    
  The middle value coins are gold coloured.
  
  
  • The 10 cent coin is the smallest coin to have a scalloped edge. It is actually smaller than the 5 cent coin, but made of a different metal and considerably thicker. It is 19.75 mm in diameter, 1.51 mm thick and weighs 4.1grams.
    
    
  • The 20 cent coin is notched at 7 points around the circumference, giving it a unique "Spanish flower" shape. It is 22.25 mm in diameter, 1.63 mm thick and weighs 5.7 grams.
    
    
  • The 50 cent coin is the largest to have a scalloped edge. It is 24.25 mm in diameter, 1.88 mm thick and weighs 7.8 grams - that's almost twice as much as the 10 cent coin.
    
    
    
  The higher value coins have two colours, silver and gold.
  
  
  • The 1 Euro coin has an outer circle that is gold coloured, and an inner circle that is silver coloured. Its edge is alternately smooth and serrated - a style known as "interrupted milling". It is smaller and lighter than the 50 cent coin. It is 23.25 mm in diameter, 2.125 mm thick and weighs 7.5 grams.
    
    
  • The 2 Euro coin has an outer circle that is silver coloured, and an inner circle that is gold coloured. Its edge is finely milled, with lettering or stars. It is the biggest and heaviest coin. It is 25.75 mm in diameter, 1.95 mm thick and weighs 8.5 grams.
    
    
  The figures for thickness refer to the average thickness of the coins. However, thickness at the edge of the coin is greater than the average, to ensure a correct piling of the coins.
  
  
  
  Euro coins differentiation methods
  
  From the observation of spontaneous behaviour, it appears that the four methods most widely used for differentiating euro coins were :
  
  
  • comparing dimensions : 90 %
  • feeling the edge : 61 %
    
  • feeling the shape : 39 %
    
  • seeing the colours : 35 %
    
    
  Once told about identification methods like edge, thickness or weight, respondents started using them immediately (10 to 20 % higher incidence after information).
  
  Respondents obviously made use of their experience in handling their national denomination coins in order to try and identify the euro coins. This means that a relatively high incidence of a particular method for handling national money frequently "correlates" with a high representation of the same method in the euro coins test section.
  
  However, and quite understandably when faced with a new situation, respondents tended to transfer the "simplest" handling skills from national coin denominations onto euro coins (for instance, comparing dimensions and feeling the edge), while the incidence of other differentiation techniques tends to decrease. They have therefore to gain confidence and start (re-)using more elaborate differentiation techniques for euro coins.
  
  
  Euro coins easiest discrimination criteria
  
  Preliminary :
  There is no one good way to proceed in recognising the notes and coins. Each individual person has one method that is appropriate for them.
  
  Each method has its limits ! In particular, perhaps it is self-evident, but it is good to remember, as demonstrated by the interviews, people who use a range of identification methods make less identification mistakes (2).
  
  Amongst the most frequently mentioned 7 easy differentiation criteria, 5 were based on edge design, 1 on thickness and 1 on weight, over and against those based on colour and size.
  
  
  • Spanish flower shape of the 20 cent coin : 70 %
  • fine scalloped edge of the 10 cent coin : 57 %
  • fine interrupted milling of the 1 euro coin : 56 %
  • fine scalloped edge of the 50 cent coin : 54 %
  • smooth edge of the 1 cent, 2 cent and 5 cent coins : 49 %
  • thinness of the 1 cent, 2 cent and 5 cent coins : 43 %
  • light weight of the 1 cent, 2 cent and 5 cent coins : 41 %
  
  
  By age : the edge criteria was, generally speaking, found the most useful by the eldest groups of respondents. As might be expected, this pattern is reversed for the colour design criteria. For instance, the red colour of the 1, 2 and 5 cent coins is mentioned by 46 % of younger compared with 25 % of middle age band and 13 % of older respondents.
  
  By visual impairment : as expected, the choice of discrimination and identification methods varies greatly according to the type of visual impairment. 70 % of blind respondents mentioned "feeling the edge" as a good method for identifying the euro coins compared with 37 % of partially sighted respondents. While "seeing the colour" is mentioned by 21 % of blind respondents, the incidence reaches 71 % among partially sighted respondents.
  
  It is obvious that partially sighted respondents did not rely on their residual sight levels alone but also used additional methods which are more typical of blind people. Moreover, when told about the usefulness of such identification methods by touch, they start largely using them (in all 3 age bands).
  
  While a large majority of respondents would spontaneously go by dimensions in order to differentiate between the coins, they do not even mention this as one of the "easy identification" methods.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  Objective: to arrange Euro coins in the most effective way in order to identify them rapidly when needed
  Suggestions

  Sorting one's coins - Suggestions

  
  
  Purse with three compartments :
  1 cent - 10 cent - 1 euro
  2 cent - 20 cent - 2 euro
  5 cent - 50 cent
  
  
  • The same edge does not figure twice in the same compartment ;
    
    
  • easy to remember as it is logical: all denominations beginning with the same figure go in the same compartment ;
    
    
  • in each case, one coin is of copper and is thinner than the other, and therefore fairly easy to distinguish ;
    
    
  • the 1 euro and 2 euro coins, which could give rise to confusion having quite similar sizes and edges, are in two different compartments ;
    
    
  • the sizes of coins in a compartment are very different.
    
    
  
  
  Purse with two compartments :
  1 cent - 5 cent - 50 cent - 1 euro
  2 cent - 10 cent - 20 cent - 2 euro
  
  
  • here we have the same edge twice in the same compartment: the 1 cent and 5 cent coins ; however, these coins are quite different sizes ;
    
    
  • the 50 cent and 1 euro coins are fairly similar sizes and, moreover, likely to lead to confusion ; however, their edges are sufficiently different for easy identification after training ;
    
    
  • the 1 euro and 2 euro coins are not in the same compartment.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  Objective : identification of the denomination of euro notes
  
  Type of visual impairment: blind and partially sighted
  Type of training: individual / group of 3 to 5 people maximum
  Age: 4 to 104
  

  What is the denomination of Euro notes ?
  Handling Euro notes "in context"

  
  
  Objectives :
  1. to individually learn the denomination of euro notes, through trial and error and with the help of a trainer ; how many notes there are, what are the denominations and which denomination corresponds to each note
     
     
  2. to learn to handle euro notes in a situation as close as possible to a real purchasing situation
     
     
  Material : 1 to 2 sets of 7 euro notes per participant
  
  Number of participants : individual activity ; a trainer can however supervise 1 to 5 participants.
  
  Procedure :
  
  
  • Through a discussion, the trainer ensures that each participant knows the number of notes and the denominations
    
    
  • Using your imagination, and according to your public, simulate more or less practical purchasing situations, with varying degrees of difficulty
    
    
  • Begin with situations where the "buyer" has to give an exact amount to the "seller", each one checking that the amount given / received is correct
    
    
  • Continue with situations where the "buyer" does not necessarily give the correct amount; the "seller" thus has to firstly determine the amount he has been given, before potentially giving any change.
    
    
  Variations :
  
  
  • Simplify : each participant has a single complete series of 7 notes
    
  • More realistic : each participant has a purse which has been prepared beforehand
    
  • Complicate: each participant has both notes and coins
    
    
  As with the coins, during the interviews, we began with the attribution of denominations by the people themselves ; then we put them in a purchasing situation. We grouped the conclusions on a single sheet.
  
  
  The 20 and 50 euro notes were those most often mixed up, and the significant value difference between the two notes should not be ignored... Other values were also mixed up.
  
  By age : Clearly, younger respondents but most particularly older respondents were those who experienced the most difficulties.
  
  By visual impairment : Unlike for the euro coins, blind respondents - especially blind respondents with no residual vision - experienced many more problems in the identification of the euro notes than partially sighted respondents. While partially sighted respondents did not experience too many difficulties in assessing the value of the euro notes in their hands, blind respondents most often confused those notes which are most likely to be used.
  
  Confusion rates amongst blind respondents (value attribution) :
  
  
  • 5 euro / 10 euro notes : 6 %
    
  • 10 euro / 20 euro notes : 9 %
    
  • 20 euro / 50 euro notes : 17 %
    
  • 50 euro / 100 euro notes : 10 %
    
    
  Moreover, the notes most often confused are the values next to one another, they are more rarely mistaken when there are one or more notes' difference between them.
  
  Some blind respondents also mixed up the 100 and 200 euro notes (12 %) and, quite surprisingly, so did some partially sighted respondents (6 %). Other value notes were also mixed up, albeit to a lesser extent.
  
  In the randomised euro notes testing (placed in a purchasing situation), even partially sighted respondents made more mistakes, though fewer than blind respondents.
  
  By visual impairment and age : as in the value assignment trial, younger blind respondents made more mistakes than middle age range blind participants ; older blind respondents mixed everything up !
  
  Confusion rates from older blind respondents (randomised trial) :
  
  
  • 5 euro / 10 euro notes : 30 %
  • 10 euro / 20 euro notes : 30 %
  • 20 euro / 50 euro notes : 55 %
  • 50 euro / 100 euro notes : 20 %
  • 100 euro / 200 euro notes : 35 %