An empirical analysis of euro cash payments

If the denominational structure of the euro is used in an optimal way, there should be no preferences for using certain coins and notes. In Kippers et al. (2003) it is documented that the Dutch public did have certain preferences concerning the Dutch guilder, in the sense that some notes and coins were used less often than expected. With the advent of the euro, it is now of interest to examine whether these preferences also exist for euro coins and notes, also as the denominational structure of the guilder was 1-2?-5, while for the euro it is now 1-2-5. In this paper we use two new and rather unique data sets for the Netherlands to empirically examine if the euro range is used in an optimal way. Using a statistical model, specifically designed for this purpose, we find that the Dutch public does not seem to have preferences for certain denominations. Hence, the task of paying with cash has become easier for Dutch consumers.