There are now 40.1 billion 1-cent euro coins in circulation, according to the European Central Bank (ECB). There are another 31.4 billion 2-cent euro coins in circulation.

Even if Germany gave up its two smallest coins, it would still have the 5, 10, 20 and 50 cent coins. Not to mention 1 and 2 euro coinsImage: Burkhard Schubert/Future Image/IMAGO.

Some love affairs only go so far. And German's love affair with cash could slowly be running up against a copper and steel wall in the form on 1 and 2-cent euro coins. While the idea of dropping these ...