The value of identity: What currency says about your country

There is a good reason that some travellers and digital nomads, when visiting new countries, will keep some cash as a souvenir. The notes of a nation aren’t just a purely functional object, but a carefully designed expression of national identity, politics, and culture. Countries can form unions, like the EU, or separate from old colonies and become independent - it’s these in particular where old and new currency tells a story.

We may think we view money through a purely economic lens, but a recent study conducted by Ria Money Transfer from Buena Park, California, February 3, 2026, suggests that currency serves as an ambassador for a nation’s values and priorities. The circulation means that even though things are going more digital, a state's ideological DNA remains tangible, and in most cases, unavoidable, for the average person.

Legal tender

Money design is never an accident - there’s a lot of thought involved. Sometimes, even drama and controversy, with one example being Croatia’s use of Nikola Tesla on their new Euro coins in 2023. Serbia was not happy because they claim Tesla, while born in Croatia, identified as a Serb. In this instance, Croatia wants this coin to be a visible ambassador and contribute to the country’s brand. Many Commonwealth countries, like Canada and Australia, had monies with Queen Elizabeth II because this is all part of the national story and history. While many citizens rarely think of the monarchy on a daily basis, it's deeply ingrained for some as part of the nation's identity.

By turning abstract national pride into a literal requirement for trade, and therefore survival, states effectively normalize their history with each transaction.

The five faces of national heritage

The full study analyzed many leading currencies, from the US dollar and the euro to the Indian rupee and the South African rand, and identified five main categories that dominate monetary aesthetics.

• History and National Heritage (38.5%): This is the core choice for representing identity. It focuses on historical leaders, independence processes and monuments.
• Nature and the Environment (23.1%): Nearly a quarter of symbols highlight biodiversity and local landscapes - these nations are saying they have pride in natural heritage. It’s a shift towards ecological symbols that suggest green credentials are now becoming as important to legitimacy as its military or political history.
• Science and Progress (15.4%): These emphasize innovation through references to modern infrastructure and scientific figures.
• Art and Architecture (15.4%): This category is a space to show off achievements in the humanities.
• Unity and Shared Identity (7.6%): This category uses abstract symbols to represent collective or universal values. The scarcity of these symbols interestingly shows how difficult it remains for nations to define themselves by shared future goals.

A global mirror of values

The study shows that while different economies often use the same buckets for their symbols, the execution is unique. And while they often share a message (e.g., their leader of independence), it’s not the same icon. So while they may have shared values, there is little collaborative shared messaging across different currencies.

The study helps observe how different economies value history, landscapes and innovation in the construction of their own national identity. There is no single way to construct a national identity, but currency is a powerful way to tell a story, and the decision on what to print reveals what a nation fears losing most.