what is the money currency in italy?
Euro
neutral
 As of January 2014 , and since the introduction of the euro , interest rates of most members countries ( particularly those with a weak currency ) , have decreased . The countries whose interest rates fell most as a result of the adoption of the euro are Greece , Ireland , Portugal , Spain , and Italy . These very countries have had the most serious sovereign financing problems . 

contradiction
 = = = Social and political structures in Italy = = = 

neutral
 Since 2005 , stamps issued by the Sovereign Military Order of Malta have been denominated in euros , although the Order 's official currency remains the Maltese scudo . The Maltese scudo itself is pegged to the euro and is only recognised as legal tender within the Order . 

entailment
 Additionally , 210 million people worldwide as of 2013 use currencies pegged to the euro . The euro is the second largest reserve currency as well as the second most traded currency in the world after the United States dollar . As of August 2014 , with more than € 995 @,@ 000 @,@ 000 @,@ 000 in circulation , the euro has the highest combined value of banknotes and coins in circulation in the world , having surpassed the U.S. dollar . Based on International Monetary Fund estimates of 2008 GDP and purchasing power parity among the various currencies , the eurozone is the second largest economy in the world . 

entailment
 The euro was founded on 1 January 1999 , when it became the currency of over 300 million people in Europe . For the first three years of its existence it was an invisible currency , only used in accountancy . Euro cash was not introduced until 1 January 2002 , when it replaced the national banknotes and coins of the countries in eurozone 12 , such as the Italian lira and the German mark . 
