Coin-cidence.
On this day in 1999 the “euro” debuts as the new common currency in eleven European Union (EU) nations. Today one euro is worth $1.32 U.S. The euro (€) is divided into 100 cents (c) and the coins are issued in  €2, €1, 50c, 20c, 10c, 5c, 2c, and 1c denominations.

From History.com:
Euro cash, decorated with architectural images, symbols of European unity and member-state motifs, went into circulation on January 1, 2002, replacing the Austrian schilling, Belgian franc, Finnish markka, French franc, German mark, Italian lira, Irish punt, Luxembourg franc, Netherlands guilder, Portugal escudo and Spanish peseta. A number of territories and non-EU nations including Monaco and Vatican City also adopted the euro.

This Chinese Coins, or Blocks in Bars, quilt was made by Madgalena Fisher Yoder of Arthur, Illinois around 1880. It is machine pieced and hand quilted.  Three other quilts by this Amish quiltmaker are documented and shared in The Quilt Index by the Illinois State Museum. Search by name (Quiltermaker) on the Advanced Search page to view all of Yoder’s quilts. You can also search for “Chinese Coins” under Pattern Name to browse variants on this pattern from private and public collections and documentation projects.

View this quilt on The Quilt Index to read more about it’s history, design and construction. Be sure to use the zoom tool for a detailed view.

Sources:
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-euro-debuts

Posted by Amy E. Milne
Executive Director, Quilt Alliance
amy.milne@quiltalliance.org