I was going through some drawers and came across an old wallet full of a variety of pre-euro bank notes. The French Francs in particular were artistic and beautifully done. The euro is a great convenience, yet I miss the variety of bills and coins found when crossing borders.

Me too. Some of the paper money was especially beautiful.

Yeah its a pity they introduced the euro, everything over there has gone sky high ever since.

Whilst I miss the variety of notes I don't miss the drawer full of odd coins from different countries. At least I can use the left over euros when I get home.
I miss our Guilder notes, and coins particularly - they were in far more useful denominations than the euro is.
I now have some Norwegian Krone left, which will sit in a drawer until I go again, and by them I'll probably have forgotten I have them!

Loved the Republic of Ireland coins....still have one of each denomination (?). On Irish Fireside Corey & Liam featured an artist who did a lovely job of cutting out the bits that weren't harp:
http://irishfireside.com/2011/02/11/...nd-irish-harp/