Maurice wrote on Wed, 19 May 2010 15:47:11 +0000:

Uh, no. On 4 Jan 1999 it took about $1.18 to buy a euro.

We didn't have Euros at that time, it was still "virtual
money" then. Banknotes appeared 1/1/2002 @00:00 in the ATMs.

Bye Maurice

Twelve countries of Europe began to use Euros as national currencies on
1/1/02.

The exchange rates, in USD, on 1/1/99 and 1/1/02 were 1.1812 and 0.9039
and the minimum ocurred on 10/23/00 at 0.8362 with a maximum on 1/14/08
at 1.4865. Actual numbers may differ slightly depending on which sites
you use. These are from Oanda.com.

This is from Answers.com and is correct, I believe. "The euro was
introduced to world financial markets as an accounting currency on 1
January 1999. Physical coins and banknotes entered circulation on 1
January 2002."

--

James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland

Email, with obvious alterations: not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not