Have you ever looked closely at the portrait of Lincoln on the redesigned five dollar bill? I�m not sure I like it much. The old portrait was stern, but distant. The new one looks at me with a slightly raised left eyebrow and his head at a subtly questioning angle. He seems to say, "Are you certain you�re spending me wisely?"

Then again, maybe I just have a guilty fiscal conscience.

Like many of you, I wasn�t much of a fan of the currency redesign, with its oversized portraits and other changed and rearranged features. Of course I understood why they did what they did, both as a facelift and to incorporate anti-counterfeiting measures. It just didn�t look like "money" anymore.

In the end, money is money because it buys you something. As long as it has a 1 or a 5 or a 20 in the corners, I guess I can handle it.

Imagine getting all new currency all at once, from pennies to c-notes. A recent news item reports that the 12 countries making up the European Union are gearing up for new currency to be put into circulation as of Jan. 1. These countries will give up their familiar currency�coins and paper�and share one monetary system.

The "euro" was officially launched in Jan. 1999. Since then, participating countries have been starting to post prices in local currency and the euro. While that�s a helpful way to get accustomed to the new terms and the approximate value of everyday items it will undoubtedly still take some time before people will know without looking that the largest of three copper-colored coins is, for certain, worth five euro-cents. They will have a two-month get-acquainted period where both types of money are legal tender, then on Feb. 28 the euro goes solo.

One group that seems to be awaiting the switch eagerly are the criminals. The European Union�s law enforcement arm, Europol, is apparently on the alert as everyone from counterfeiters to con men seek to make a profit from this historic metamorphosis.

It makes sense. I�m sure it�d be a lot easier for counterfeiters to fake one set of paper currency than 12 separate ones. Now they�ll be able to get more mileage out of their creations. And con men always prey on people�s fears. Already they are approaching old people and telling them if they change their money early they will get a better rate.

What does this have to do with the average American? Not much, I guess, unless you will be visiting one or more of the countries involved. It will certainly make travel in those countries easier, eliminating the need to juggle multiple systems and exchange rates.

I started to wonder what it would be like to be a citizen of one of these countries right now. Our paper currency redesign and the addition of the Sacagawea

coin have caused so much stir. What would it be like if we were asked to adjust to eight new coins and seven new bills all in one sweep?

On the one hand, Americans love to pick a fight. The switch to an all-new currency would be ripe for all the TV shows dedicated to stirring up controversy.

Money and economy pundits on CNBC could debate the "real" issues of economic stability, price transparency and competitive devaluations. Guests on Larry King would whine, "It�ll put too much of a burden on the American people, Larry. Americans don�t like change." Geraldo would point out, "Most Americans aren�t even sure that the $2 bill is legal tender."

Of course, Americans are easily distracted. Like a yappy dog who goes on alert at the slightest of noises, we complain loudly then return to our comfortable spot and go back to sleep. All-new currency would be a raging storm for a few weeks, maybe two months. Then another controversy would come along to take its place.

Before the recent round of changes the last time paper currency was redesigned was in 1929. It was also made much smaller and easier to handle. If this drastic of a change happened today, would we hear allegations that the wallet manufacturers lobby offered certain influential members of Congress sleek new wallets�complete with some of the new currency�s highest denominations�in exchange for their votes?

Now wait a minute. The last time there was a major change in our currency was 1929? What other historic money-related milestone happened that year? That�s right. The Great Depression. Maybe people were so freaked out by the new currency that it caused a panic.

Could this be why the Treasury Department has been introducing the redesigned currency slowly and gradually this time around?

I sure hope the European Union has better luck.