Please break down Euro money

Sorry, I hit the wrong button. But hopefully you get the idea of what I want. The breakdown of the Euro into change.

One euro = 100 euro cents
one Euro = 5 X 20 euro cents
One Euro = 2 X 50 Euro cents

etcetera

It is not at all complicated.

So they have only 3 coins, 50e, 20e and 1e?

The Euro is very locically designed. It is based on multiples of 1, 2, and 5.

You have small copper coins for 1, 2, and 5 cent. A cent is 1/100 of a Euro. The 1 and 5 cent pieces have smooth edges. The 2 cent piece has a circumferential groove around the outside edge.

Next you have 10, 20, and 50 cent pieces. They are brass colored and have large knotches around the edge. The 10 and 50 cent pieces have continuous knotches, the 20 cent piece has only a few.

Lastly there are 1 and 2 Euro coins. The 2 Euro coin has continuous "milling" around the edge, like the edge of our dimes and quarters; the 1 Euro coin has intermitant milling - continuous milling, then smooth, then milling.

I find it easier to tell the difference by putting the coins on end.

On the face, the 1 & 2 Euro coins have brass on the outer area, silver on the inner, the other is reversed (sorry, I can't remember which is which). On the face, the value of the coin is clearly marked with 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cent, 1, 2 Euro etc

As Lee says above, they have a 2 Euro coin and no paper 1 Euros. You don't see paper until the 5 Euro bill.

Also, here's a brief description from a euro coin website -- Euro Coins Specifications
There are 8 different euro coins denominations. These are 2 and 1 euros, then 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents, one of each totals 3.88 euro.

Euro coins are actually much simpler than U.S. coins. U.S. coins have the value written in English words and not numbers. For example, the dime says 'ONE DIME' not '10' cents. You can imagine how difficult U.S. coins must be for someone who does not speak English.

Euro coins have numbers on them.

Be careful, too, when getting change back. As Lee notes, the 1 and 2 Euro coins are bi-metal....the 1 Euro coin is brass-coloured around the outer ring, and silver coloured in the center, while the 2 Euro coin is the other way around. The unwary can easily confuse them, so make sure you check your change when making a purchase. You'll also find Euro notes are different sizes..the smaller the denomination, the smaller the note...and they're different colours!

Only in the U.S. is paper money all the same size and same color. When foreigners used to ask me why this was, I replied: "To confuse the tourists."

One thing you need to be aware of is that each country issues its own coins, so there are many different designs. However, they are all legal throughout the euro zone, so you can use French coins in Italy, Spanish coins in Germany, etc. The bank notes are of a standard design throughout the euro zone.

It really is easy.

Kathy,
that the Euros, coins and/or paper, are issued with different designs from the diverse nations of the European Union, is nothing you need to worry about,
they are valid everywhere, no matter the EU country they were printed or minted in!
Sizes and colors are uniform.

But size matters!
The coins are ascending in size, with the 1 cent piece being the smallest, the 50 cent being the largest.
1 € and 2 € coins are bicolored and heavier,
you'll learn quickly to differenciate them from the 'small change', don't worry!
It is not uncommon to see older people in the stores, holding out their wallet or hand full of change, to let the cashiers sort them out for them, for correct change.
Paper Euros are also different in size, €5 being the smallest.

Try to hoard 50 cent € pieces for your travels, for admission into public bathrooms!!!!!!!!!!

Pictures of Euros:

http://www.asiatraveltips.com/PicturesoftheEuro.shtml

They images vary depending on the country.

Here are the pictures of 1 Euros - various countries:

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.usmint.gov/kids/coinNews/images/1-eurosByCountry.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.usmint.gov/kids/coinNews/theEuro.cfm&h=338&w=354&sz=32&hl=en&start=1&um=1&tbnid=N4Zqf-aenn0kGM:&tbnh=116&tbnw=121&prev=/images%3Fq%3DPictures%2Bof%2BEuros%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN

Those websites were perfect! Thanks!