While all the experts and commentators have been discussing the billions of euros being spent to prop up the currency, it seems that we should also have been looking at some smaller numbers, like 'one' and 'two.'

The British, who declined to join our monetery union have a little proverb; 'Look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves.'

Sound advice, regardless of currency unit, that has been passed down the generations all over the world in similar forms. A call to prudence, to the careful management of finances.

But not in the Eurozone.

Apart from the highly publicised problems with the euro, there's another one with the cents. “The Commission has consulted business and consumer associations, treasuries, mints and central banks on the pros and cons of continued issuance of the 1 and 2 cent coins,” said Olli Rehn.

Whatever could be the problem?

"The production of 1 and 2 cent coins is clearly a loss-making activity for the euro area with the difference between the face value of the coins and the price paid by the state to get them pointing at an estimated total cumulative loss of €1.4 billion since 2002."

That's right, they cost more to make than they're worth. Not only that, they're expensive to use, with handling fees being as much as 40 cents for a roll of fifty one cent coins.

There's also a lot of them, some 46 billion of these coins. In fact almost half of all euro coins made today are either one or two cent coins.

They have a total value of €714 million.

The problem seems to be that people keep losing them, meaning more and more have to be produced.

So, keep them and keep losing money in both senses of the word, or stop and face the anger of the public, fearful of minimum 5 cent price rises on every little thing.

Loss or inflation. Welcome to the Eurozone!