443)
i) “Europa Coin Programme” or the “European Silver Programme” or the “Eurostar
Programme”:
ii)
“Monnaie de Paris” (the “Paris Mint”)
has issued a series
of six coins with the theme “The Age of Iron and Glass” in January 2017 (which
is part of a wider programme focussing on the “Ages of Europe”):
For posts on coins issued under the Eurostar Coin Programme, please visit the following links:
For posts on coins issued under the Eurostar Coin Programme, please visit the following links:
Europa
Coin Programme:
The Europa Coin
Programme is an initiative dedicated to issuing of collector coins, in
precious metals which celebrate
European identity.
Coins under this series
are issued by the European Union’s Eurozone member States and the issuing
authorities of European Union member countries voluntarily contribute coins to
the Europa Coin Programme.
The
Europa Star Series highlights European achievements, anniversaries and common
history or cultural ties.
Several countries have
taken part in this programme, since its inception in 2004.
Some coins are denominated
in Euros, while others are denominated in other currencies. These coins are all legal tender.
The
Eurostar logo:
The Eurostar logo
is the special mark used on these coins which signify that they have been
issued under the “Euro Coin Programme”. The design of the logo is a stylised
combination of an “E” (for Europe or the Euro Symbol) and a “star” (often
used to symbolise a member nation, for example, on the EU Flag).
The Eurostar logo
It
is a requirement that the coins must show the Eurostar distinctly and visibly
to the naked eye, but not be integral to the coin’s design.
Other
standard coin features for coins issued under the programme:
a) The
coins must be at least .900 fine silver and of Proof quality
b) The
coins should be approx “crown sized” which allows for national traditions and
customs
c) The
coins must show the Eurostar logo distinctly
The
themes over the past years for the Eurostar Programme coin issues:
2004 – EU Enlargement
2005 – Peace and Freedom
2006 – Distinguished
European figures
2007 – European
Realisation
2008 – Cultural Heritage
2009 – European Heritage
2010 – European
Architecture
2011 – European Explorers
2012 – European Visual
Artists
2013 – European Writers
2014 – European Composers
2015 – Anniversary of the
UNO
2016 – The Ages of Europe
“Monnaie de Paris” (the “Paris Mint”) has issued
the undernoted coin in the Annual Europa Star Coin Series on 24.01.2017:
The Monnaie de Paris has commenced France’s contributions to the Annual
Europa Star series of coins for the year 2017.
As mentioned above, coins
under this series are issued throughout the European Union’s Eurozone member
states. The Europa Star Series highlights European achievements, anniversaries
and common history or cultural ties.
This year’s theme for the
Europa Star Coin Series (2017) is “The Age of Iron and Glass” which is
part of a wider programme focussing on the “Ages of Europe”. The
five-year long, co-ordinated programme commenced last year (2016) and will
conclude in 2020.
The
design on this coin:
The 2017 dated French coin
set has an exceptional design, featuring one of the world’s best-known
structures located in the capital – the Eiffel Tower.
Also included in the
featured design are symbols of the French Romantic era in painting,
literature and the development of new technologies and engineering.
The design blends three
different elements: the Eiffel Tower, a portrait of Victor Hugo
and an historical painting by Eugene Delacroix titled “Liberty leading the
People”.
The
Eiffel Tower:
The Eiffel Tower is a
wrought iron lattice tower on the Champs
de Mars in Paris, France, which is named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel,
whose Company built it from 1887 – 1889. The tower was constructed as an
entrance to the 1889 World’s Fair.
The Eiffel Tower is 324 metres (or 1063 feet)
tall (about the same height as an 81-storey building and is the tallest
structure in Paris and the second tallest in France after the Millau Viaduct (a
cable-stayed bridge that spans the valley of the river Tarn near Millau in
Southern France and is the tallest bridge in the world).
The Eiffel Tower’s base is
square, measuring 125 metres (or 410 feet) on each side. The Tower has three
levels for visitors.
It
is now become a global cultural icon of France and is one of the most
recognisable and visited paid monuments in the world.
Victor
Hugo 926.02.1802 – 22.05.1885):
He was a French poet,
novelist and dramatist of the “Romantic Movement”, who is considered to be one
of the greatest and best known French writers.
His best known novels are
“Les Miserables” (1862) and “The
Hunchback of Notre-Dame” (1831) or “Notre-Dame
de Paris” (in French).
He is also popular for his
poetry collections such as “Les Contemplations” (meaning “The Contemplations”)
and “La Legende des siècles” (meaning
“The Legend of the Ages”). He also made more than 4,000 drawings and campaigned
for social causes including the abolition of capital punishment.
An ardent Royalist when he
was young, over the years, he became an avid supporter of Republicanism. His
works touch upon several of the social issues and artistic trends of his time.
The
historical background of the “Second French Revolution”:
The
painting by Eugene Delacroix, references a historical event that took place
during the 19th Century and is essentially considered the “Second
French Revolution” after 1789. It was prompted to decide the choice of a new
King – Louis-Philippe d’Orleans, who took power for a short period which is in
retrospect referred to as the “July Monarchy”.
The Revolution was a
revolt that took place over three days – 27-29 July 1830, which has gone down
in history as “Le Trois Glorieuses”
(in French).
After a long period of
parliamentary and ministerial instability, King Charles X, successor to King
Louis XVIII and of the house of Bourbon, tried to reinstate his own regime by
leading a coup of his own with his ordinances of Saint-Cloud enacted on 25.07.1830.
As a reaction to these
ordinances, the fledgling revolt resulted in a Republican Revolution. The
people of Paris protested and built barricades in the streets to fight against
armed forces loyal to the Crown, resulting in the killing of some 200 soldiers
and 800 Revolutionaries.
After what has been
recorded by history as the “hesitation of 1830” the constitutional monarchy was
maintained – but with a formal change to the French Monarch’s title.
Louis-Philippe now held the title of “King of the French” but was no longer
called “King of France”.
The Obverse Design on all denominations of the above coins, depicts
the “Age of Iron and Glass” in France through three main symbols – Victor
Hugo – the prominent French writer of the 20th Century, the
Eiffel Tower – icon of France’s technological evolution, built for the 1899
Universal Exposition and Eugene Delacroix’s painting of “Liberty Leading the
People” – evoking the “Trois
Glorieuses” of the 1830 Revolution.
On the left periphery
is the signature of Victor Hugo next to his portrait, The Eiffel Tower
is in the centre and on the right periphery is the inscription “Liberte Eugene Delacroix” .
The denomination of the
coin is placed below the primary motif and within the arch of the Eiffel Tower.
The Reverse Design on all denominations of the above coins is common
to all the countries from the Europa Star Coin Programme. The design
features a star in the centre, extracted from the logo.
This year’s theme “EUROPE
ROMANTIQUE & MODERNE” and the name of the issuing country “REPUBLIQUE
FRANCAISE” are inscribed in a circular arc.
In the centre, is depicted
a National Element or Representation. For the French Republic,
the Europa goddess is dressed with floating flags with the year “2017” is
engraved on the bottom left and the mintmark of the Paris Mint a “Cornucopia” (A "Cornucopia" is a symbol of plenty, consisting of
a goat’s horn overflowing with flowers, fruit and corn and sometimes spilling
out coins – symbolising
prosperity) on the bottom right of the coins to the right
of the Europa Star.
The
denominations and coin specifications:
The Coins have been issued
in six denominations – two in
Silver (10 Euros & 50 Euros), both of which generally meets the
requirements of the Europa Coin Programme and four in Gold (5 Euros, 50 Euros,
200 Euros and 500 Euros).
The Obverse of the 10 Euros Silver coin showing a portrait of Victor Hugo, the Eiffel Tower and Eugene Delacroix's painting "Liberty Leading the People" juxtaposed with the painting itself
The
French Flag is vividly colourised on both the 10 Euro and 50 Euro Silver coins.
The Reverse of the 10 Euros Silver coin
The specifications of the coins are:
10
Euros (Silver): Metallic
composition: .900 Silver; Weight:
22.2 grams; Diameter/Size:
37.00 mm; Coin Quality: Proof
& Applied colour; Mintage (limit):
20,000 pieces.
The Obverse of the 50 Euros Silver coin showing a portrait of Victor Hugo, the Eiffel Tower and Eugene Delacroix's painting "Liberty Leading the People".
The
French Flag is vividly colourised on both the 10 Euro and 50 Euro Silver coins.
The Reverse of the 50
Euros Silver coin
50
Euros (Silver): Metallic
composition: .900 Silver; Weight:
163.8 grams; Diameter/Size:
50.00 mm; Coin Quality: Proof
& Applied colour; Mintage (limit):
500 pieces.
The Obverse and Common
Reverse of all the four Gold Coin denominations – 5 Euros, 50 Euros, 100 Euros
and 500 Euros.
5
Euros (Gold): Metallic
composition: .999 Gold; Weight:
0.5 grams; Diameter/Size: 11.00
mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Mintage (limit): 5,000 pieces.
50
Euros (Gold): Metallic
composition: .999 Gold; Weight:
7.78 grams; Diameter/Size: 22.00
mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Mintage (limit): 1,000 pieces.
200
Euros (Gold): Metallic
composition: .999 Gold; Weight:
31.10 grams; Diameter/Size:
37.00 mm; Coin Quality: Proof;
Mintage (limit): 500 pieces.
The Obverse of the 500 Euros Gold Coinshowing a portrait of Victor Hugo, the Eiffel Tower and Eugene Delacroix's painting "Liberty Leading the People".
The Reverse of the 500
Euros Gold Coin
500
Euros (Gold): Metallic
composition: .999 Gold; Weight:
155.50 grams; Diameter/Size:
50.00 mm; Coin Quality: Proof;
Mintage (limit): 99 pieces.
Links:
1) Honouring Louis Braille on the Bicentenary of his birth in 2009
2) Honouring Charles Eduord Jeanneret popularly known as Le Corbusieur, the French architect who built the modern city of Chandigarh & several other projects: A 10 Franc Banknote issued by the Swiss National Bank
3) Fort St. George Museum, Chennai (Part iii): i) Indo-Danish coins ii) Indo-Dutch coins iii) Indo-French coins iv) Indo-Portuguese coins
4) a) Central Bank of West African States issues: the "Franc African Financial Community" (FCFA) b) Bank of Central African States issues : the "Franc Financial Cooperation in Central Africa (FFCCA)
5) French Indo-China issues: A silver one Paistre coin issued in 1895
6) Financial Institution for issuing uniform currency/coinage for French Overseas Territories in the Pacific & French Southern Territories of Antarctica: The Institut d'emission d'outre-Mer (IEOM) for French Polynesia (Tahiti), New caledonia, Wallis-et-Futuna and the erstwhile New Hebrides (present day Vanuatu)
7) Coinage of the French Polynesian Island of New Caledonia (or Nouvelle-Caledonie in French) - the CFP Franc
8) Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo and Napoleon's exile to St. Helena (Part I): A one Crown Commemorative Coin issued by the Ascension Island
9) Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo and Napoleon's exile to St. Helena (Part II) : coins commemorating the 200th Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo: 1) A 5 GBP coin issued by the Royal Mint UK: 2) A "Drie Landen Zilverset" issued by the Royal Dutch Mint - which includes coins of Netherlands, Belgium and UK
10) Jeanne d'Arc or Joan of Arc or "The Maid of Orleans" or "La Pucelle": 200 & 50 Euro gold coins and 10 Euro Silver coins issued by Monnaie de Paris in July 2016
11) i)"Europa Coin Programme" or the Eurostar Programme ii) Monnaie de Paris has issued a series of six coins with the theme "The Age of Iron & Glass" in January 2017
12) 100th Anniversary of Auguste Rodin's passing away commemorated with gold and silver Euro coins issued by the Monnaie de Paris under its on-going "The 7 Arts" Coin Series
13) Statue of Liberty, Paris, France: "Treasures of Paris": Coin series issued by Monnaie de Paris on 20.01.2017
14) Marianne (or Liberty): "The Trilogy": A set of Euro denominated coins in Gold and silver brought out by Monnaie de Paris in January 2017
Links:
1) Honouring Louis Braille on the Bicentenary of his birth in 2009
2) Honouring Charles Eduord Jeanneret popularly known as Le Corbusieur, the French architect who built the modern city of Chandigarh & several other projects: A 10 Franc Banknote issued by the Swiss National Bank
3) Fort St. George Museum, Chennai (Part iii): i) Indo-Danish coins ii) Indo-Dutch coins iii) Indo-French coins iv) Indo-Portuguese coins
4) a) Central Bank of West African States issues: the "Franc African Financial Community" (FCFA) b) Bank of Central African States issues : the "Franc Financial Cooperation in Central Africa (FFCCA)
5) French Indo-China issues: A silver one Paistre coin issued in 1895
6) Financial Institution for issuing uniform currency/coinage for French Overseas Territories in the Pacific & French Southern Territories of Antarctica: The Institut d'emission d'outre-Mer (IEOM) for French Polynesia (Tahiti), New caledonia, Wallis-et-Futuna and the erstwhile New Hebrides (present day Vanuatu)
7) Coinage of the French Polynesian Island of New Caledonia (or Nouvelle-Caledonie in French) - the CFP Franc
8) Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo and Napoleon's exile to St. Helena (Part I): A one Crown Commemorative Coin issued by the Ascension Island
9) Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo and Napoleon's exile to St. Helena (Part II) : coins commemorating the 200th Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo: 1) A 5 GBP coin issued by the Royal Mint UK: 2) A "Drie Landen Zilverset" issued by the Royal Dutch Mint - which includes coins of Netherlands, Belgium and UK
10) Jeanne d'Arc or Joan of Arc or "The Maid of Orleans" or "La Pucelle": 200 & 50 Euro gold coins and 10 Euro Silver coins issued by Monnaie de Paris in July 2016
11) i)"Europa Coin Programme" or the Eurostar Programme ii) Monnaie de Paris has issued a series of six coins with the theme "The Age of Iron & Glass" in January 2017
12) 100th Anniversary of Auguste Rodin's passing away commemorated with gold and silver Euro coins issued by the Monnaie de Paris under its on-going "The 7 Arts" Coin Series
13) Statue of Liberty, Paris, France: "Treasures of Paris": Coin series issued by Monnaie de Paris on 20.01.2017
14) Marianne (or Liberty): "The Trilogy": A set of Euro denominated coins in Gold and silver brought out by Monnaie de Paris in January 2017
Vishnu Chandra Bajpai has commented:
ReplyDelete"Juxtaposing the face of Victor Hugo with the most representative painting of French Revolution is very revealing.Victor Hugo had said that no army can withstand the strength of an idea whose time has come."
Thank you, Sir for the added info. on Victor Hugo.
DeleteRattan Nath has commented:
ReplyDelete"Is their face value different from their market value or the value of the precious metal content?"
Their pricing is placed at much higher premiums than the market value of the precious metal content as they are collector's items and come in elegant packs. Much like buying "designer jewellery".
Delete