BEHIND the scenes, Europe's beloved politicians are fighting like weasels in a sack about the single currency. Not about whether the Germans will let the Italians in (they won't), or if the French will take part without the Italians (they won't), but about a topic far more crucial the coins.

There will be 100 cents in a euro, and the design of the various coins will be unveiled at the Amsterdam summit this much is agreed.

But while all of the other countries plan to melt down their old coins to make cents, Sweden insists the coins should not be minted from nickel, to which up to 20 per cent of women are said to be allergic.

Now the Germans have started campaigning against a proposed nine sided 20 cent coin. The Bonn government says it has more vending machines than any other country, and the coin will jam every one. Watch this space.