Poland criticises ECB over omission of Marie Curie’s maiden name on Euro notes

WEB DESK: The Polish Nobel laureate scientist, born in Warsaw with the surname Skłodowska before later marrying Frenchman Pierre Curie, has become the centre of a controversy. A new design for euro banknotes has sparked renewed debate between France and Poland over Marie Curie’s legacy.

Born in 1867 in Warsaw, Skłodowska-Curie moved to France, where she became the first woman to win a Nobel Prize in 1903, sharing the award in physics with her husband Pierre. She later received the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 1911, making her the only person to earn Nobel honours in two different scientific fields. Throughout her life, she used different versions of her surname—initially signing as Skłodowska-Curie during her husband’s lifetime, and later predominantly as M. Curie.

This personal history has come under renewed scrutiny following the European Central Bank’s (ECB) plans to introduce a new series of banknotes, possibly featuring Skłodowska-Curie on the €20 note. In Poland, there has been criticism over how her name appears on these designs, with her maiden name presented in brackets, sparking controversy.

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Many Poles see the omission or alteration of her Polish surname as more than a mere formal issue; it’s viewed as a symbolic undervaluing of Poland’s contributions to European history. The dispute has a political edge, especially since other historical figures like Miguel de Cervantes and Ludwig van Beethoven retain their original names across different languages.

In response to Polish concerns, the ECB has emphasized that it is considering the complex nature of the issue, explaining that it is consulting various historical and linguistic sources to determine the most appropriate way to present her name. The current proposal includes “Marie Curie (née Skłodowska)” to acknowledge her dual identity.

The ECB Governing Council announced in January that upcoming banknotes’ themes will be “Rivers and Birds” and “European Culture.” The theme that garners the most public and jury support will be chosen for circulation. If “European Culture” is selected, a design featuring Skłodowska-Curie, depicting her lecturing among books, could be produced. Final decisions on the designs will be made in 2026, and it will take several years before the new banknotes are introduced. The existing euro banknotes will remain in circulation until then.