In Europe it's hard to avoid a steady buzz of controversy over the arrival of the euro as official currency on Jan. 1, 2002

In Europe it's hard to avoid a steady buzz of controversy over the arrival of the euro as official currency on Jan. 1, 2002. Experts are worried that people are going to take advantage of changeover confusion and produce counterfeit notes. Just ask Bob Bednar, an American currency expert who is marking the big New Year's Day currency conversion with a counterfeit note to top all counterfeit notes. It's a 1-million Euro note, rife with security features and yes, as a matter of fact, Bednar has generously offered to ship several to interested members of the media. "I've been able to come up with a design that I feel should commemorate the issuance of the euro," Bednar said in a phone interview. "I made it 1-million euro notes, because nobody is going to think there's a 1-million euro note." Bednar, CEO of Naples (Florida) Bank Note Company, does not in any way make light of the potential for trouble in Europe. Concerns are so high, the euro notes will not be available until Jan. 1, 2002, even though so-called starter kits of euro coins have turned out to be a hit with the public. Both national currencies and euros will be in circulation during a transition period lasting into February.