Nice to see that the world of crime has thrown its weight behind Europe's single currency project. A tiny hologram especially designed for the new euro notes was stolen last week on a flight from France to Germany. Air France said the small package containing the hologram designed for the high-denomination notes was placed in the hold of a Boeing jet on a scheduled flight for Munich, but that when the plane arrived the parcel was gone.

The use of holograms is one of a number measures planned by the EU to prevent counterfeiting of the new bills. Before the theft, police across the member-states were already concerned that forgers might use the public's initial unfamiliarity with the notes to flood the EU with fakes. Now they know for sure that the forgers are are looking forward to the big day as much as its architects.