1309) I) "Europa Coin Programme" or the "European Star Programme" or the "Eurostar Programme" ii) "Monnaie de Paris" (the "Paris Mint") has issued a set of coins featuring "Architecture and Artwork of the Gothic Era" in 04/2020 (which is a part of the wider programme focussing on the "Ages of Europe":

1309) I) "Europa Coin Programme" or the "European Star Programme" or the "Eurostar Programme" ii) "Monnaie de Paris" (the "Paris Mint") has issued a set of coins featuring "Architecture and Artwork of the Gothic Era" in 04/2020 (which is a part of the wider programme focussing on the "Ages of Europe":

The "Europa Coin Programme":

The Europa Coin Programme is an initiative dedicated to issuing 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 the 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 features for coins issued under the Europa 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 are:

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 Arts

2013 - European Writers

2014 - European Composers

2015- Anniversary of the UNO

2016 - The Ages of Europe (through to 2020)

"Monnaie de Paris" (the "Paris Mint") has issued the undernoted coin in the Annual Europa Star Coin Series in 2020:

The 2020 collection by the Monnaie de Paris, which is part of the Europa Star Collector's Coin Series, which focusses on the "Seven Ages of Europe", which also feature on the Banknotes of the Euro-Zone single currency - Classical, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo and Modern Ages. 

The Paris Mint 2020 collection features Architecture and Artwork of the Gothic Era, which is divided into early Gothic (1150-1250), High Gothic (1250-1375) and International Gothic (1375-1450).

Of particular  importance during the Gothic Era in France was the construction of the Cathedral of Notre Dame.

Construction began in 1183 during the reign of King Louis VII and was eventually completed by 1345, at which time Philippe VI of the house of Valois was King. The décor included some of the most colourful and intricate stained glass panes ever assembled. 

Known as "Notre Dame de Paris" ( meaning "Our Lady of Paris") and located on the Eastern half of the "Ile de la Cite" in the fourth arrondissement of Paris. It is the church that contains the "cathedra" (or "official chair") of the Archbishop of Paris. the cathedral is also home to the crown of thorns, believed to be a fragment of the True cross and one of the Holy Nails.

Notre Dame is considered a Gothic-style master-piece of architecture with a height of 226.0 feet (69.0 metres), a length of 420.0 feet (128.0 metres) and a width of 226.0 feet (69.0 metres). As such, it is one of the largest structures of its kind and is among the first buildings in the world to use arched exterior supports, becoming a noted aspect of Gothic style construction.

In 1789, during the French Revolution, Notre Dame sustained considerable damage and underwent considerable reconstruction to restore its original Gothic splendour.

On 15.04.2019, the cathedral sustained extensive damage during a fire which lasted till the early hours of the next day.

Before the fire forced the closure of Notre Dame, the cathedral saw over 13.0 million visitors coming every year from around the world. The cathedral has also been named as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

The Eurostar Coins:

Four coin variants have been issued Four in Gold (5, 50 & 200 Euros) and one in Silver (10 Euro):

The Gold Coin Variants:

The design on the Reverse features two important elements of Notre Dame and the Gothic Era.

Highlighted on this face is the beauty of Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral and its stained glass windows, the "Lady and the Unicorn", as a major emblem of Art in the 16th Century, as well as, the illuminating monks, who allowed this artistic movement to shine through the works and writings of the time.

The denomination of the coins is placed to the upper-roght of the primary design towards the upper periphery. To one side is the name of the cathedral - "Notre-Dame de Paris" (in stylised calligraphy).

The design on the Obverse is common to all the countries from the Europa Star Programme and features a star in the centre, inspired by the Europa Star logo.

This year's theme and the name of the issuing country are inscribed in a circular arc - on this coin -REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE" (meaning "Republic of France"). On the outer periphery is mentioned - "EUROPE GOTHIQUE".

On the lower periphery is seen the "Eurostar logo" to the right of which is the Cornucopia mint mark of the Paris Mint.

The specifications of the Gold Coin variants are:

5 Euro Gold Coin variant:

Theme: "Gothic Artwork & Architecture" - The Ages of Europe; Denomination: 5 Euro; Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Gold (Au); Weight: 1/2 Grams; Diameter/Size: 11.0 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Maximum Mintage: 2,000 pieces; Mint: Monnaie de Paris (The Paris Mint); Year: 2020.

50 Euro Gold Coin variant:

Theme: "Gothic Artwork and Architecture" - The Ages of Europe; Denomination: 50 Euro; Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Gold (Au); Weight: 7.78 grams; Diameter/Size: 22.0 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Maximum Mintage: 500 pieces; Mint: Monnaie de Paris (The Paris Mint); Year: 2020.

200 Euro Gold Coin variant:

Theme: "Gothic Artwork and Architecture" - The Ages of Europe; Denomination: 200 Euro; Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Gold (Au); Weight: 31.1 grams or 1.0 Oz; Diameter/Size: 37.0 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Maximum Mintage: 250 pieces; Mint: Monnaie de Paris (The Paris  Mint); Year: 2020.

The Silver 10 Euro variant:

Both faces of the Silver 10 Euro Proof Coin are identical to the designs seen on the Gold Coin variants.

The specifications of the 10 Euro Silver Coin variant are:

Theme: "Gothic Artwork & Architecture" - The Ages of Europe; Metal Composition: ,900 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 22.0 grams; Diameter/Size: 27.0 mm; Coin Quality: Proof with applied colour; Maximum Mintage: 5,000 pieces; Mint: Monnaie de Paris (The Paris Mint); Year: 2020.

Remarks - The Gold and Silver coins are encapsulated and presented in a custom Monnaie de Paris Presentation Case and are accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity (COA).

Links:

For posts on coins issued under the Eurostar Coin Programme, please visit the following links:

1) Europa Coin Programme: A series of six coins issued by the Monnaie de Paris (Paris Mint) with the theme "The Age of Iron & Glass" in January 2017

2) The Golden Age of Finnish Art: A 10 Euro Silver Coin issued by the Mit of Finland with the theme "The Age of Iron And Glass" on 20.02.2017

3) Baptism of Christ: 50 Euro Gold and 10 Euro Silver Coins issued by the Central Bank of Malta on the theme "Baroque and Rococo Art" on 14.03.2018

4) The "Baroque & Rococo Era" in France : Coins feature, The Hall of Mirrors, Rococo elements of the Palace of Versailles, philosopher Voltaire and the Dancing King Louis XIV in gold & silver coins issued during 2018, under the "Europa Coin Programme"

5) Suomenlinna Fortress & its Architect Augustin Ehrensvard: The "Baroque and Rococo Periods" of Europe: 10 Euro Silver coin issued on 18.05.2018 

6) Leonardo da Vinci, France: The latest issue from the Monnaie de Paris, France highlights him on the latest Europa Silver Star Coin Programme issued by the Paris Mint: Coin issue date: 03/2019

For other posts on French Coins:

 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": "Women of France Coin Series": 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 

15) Dakota Aircraft & the Berlin Airlift: Latest coins in the "L'Aviation Historie" ("Aviation and History) Coin Series issued in 2018 by the Paris Mint:

16) The "Baroque & Rococo Era" in France : Coins feature, The Hall of Mirrors, Rococo elements of the Palace of Versailles, philosopher Voltaire and the Dancing King Louis XIV in gold & silver coins issued during 2018, under the "Europa Coin Programme"

17) George Sand: "Women of France Coin Series": Third Coin in the Series issued during 2018 by the Monnaie de Paris, France on 04.05.2018

18) "Paris, The Banks of the River Seine" ("Rivos de la Seine") : UNESCO World Heritage Site: "The Louvre Museum"(Musee du Louvre") and "Pont des Arts": Gold and Silver Euro coins issued by the Monnaie de Paris on 14.06.2018

19) Notre Dame de Paris, France "Reconstruction": Monnaie de Paris (The Paris Mint) restrikes 2013 Silver 10 Euro Coin, Bronze Medal and Silver-coloured Mini-Medal, part proceeds of which will go towards the reconstruction of the iconic Cathedral which was partially burnt in a fire on 15.04.2019

20) The Micro-Currency called - "EUSCKO" , France circulates in the French Basque Country and is the largest such currency in circulation today in the world, fully backed by the Euro; ii) It is one of 44 such micro-currencies circulating in French cities; iii) Paris is on the vetge of introducing a micro-currency.

21) Guerlain, France: A set of two stamps in the denominations of 0.97 and 1.94 Euros issued by La Poste, France: Date of Stamp Set issue: 13.01.2020