Euro sign meaning and design
The euro sign € stands for the euro (code EUR), the currency shared by most European Union countries. One euro is divided into 100 cents. The euro started as an accounting currency in 1999, and euro notes and coins went into circulation on January 1, 2002.
According to the European Commission, the design is inspired by the Greek letter epsilon, a nod to the cradle of European civilization and the first letter of "Europe", crossed by two parallel lines that stand for the stability of the euro.
₠, the euro-currency sign, is an older symbol for the European Currency Unit (ECU), the basket currency that came before the euro. It is not used for the euro today.
Should the € go before or after the number?
It depends on the language, not the currency. In English, as used in Ireland and Malta, the sign goes first with no space: €10, €9.99. In German, French, Spanish and many other languages it usually goes after the number with a space and a decimal comma: 10 € or 9,99 €. Dutch commonly puts it first with a space: € 9,99.
Official EU documents written in English often use the ISO code instead, followed by a space: EUR 10. Whatever style you choose, use it consistently in one document.
How to type €
On Windows, hold Alt and type 0128 on the number pad. In Word, Ctrl + Alt + E also inserts €. On many European keyboard layouts the euro is AltGr + E, and on the UK layout it is AltGr + 4.
On a Mac with the US layout, press Option + Shift + 2. On iPhone, open the #+= symbols page, or long-press $ on the 123 page. On Android, Gboard shows € on its second symbols page.
In Word, you can also type 20AC and press Alt + X. In HTML, write €, and in LaTeX use \texteuro or the eurosym package's \euro. For pounds, dollars and other money, see currency symbols and the pound symbol.