1423) Mount Olympus, Mont Saint-Michel & Mount Fuji, France : Gold & Silver Coins issued by the Monnaie de Paris on these UNESCO World Heritage Sites in phases during 2020: Mount Olympus Coins issued on 07.07.2020:
The Monnaie de Paris (MdP) has issued on 07.07.2020, the first of a three-coin set minted in gold and silver, which highlights world landmarks associated with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) list of World Heritage Sites.
For more than 40 years, the UNESCO lists the Sites that are part of the "world heritage cultural property sites".
For more than 40 years, the UNESCO lists the Sites that are part of the "world heritage cultural property sites".
The initial series began in 2014 with the MdP's UNESCO gold and silver Proof Coin Series that highlighted French World Heritage Sites and concluded in 2018.
In 2019, the Coin Series extended its scope to World Heritage Sites outside France with the first set of coins highlighting the "Tower of Belem" on the banks of the Tagus in Lisbon, Portugal.
The three Silver Coins included in this Coin Series
The 2020 Series highlights three specific locations - "Mount Olympus" in Greece, "San Michel" in France and "Mount Fuji" in Japan.
The 2020 Series highlights three specific locations - "Mount Olympus" in Greece, "San Michel" in France and "Mount Fuji" in Japan.
The Gold Variants of the three coins
Mount Olympus:
The first of the three locations - Mount Olympus is featured during what was to be the year of the XXXII Olympiad, hosted by Tokyo, Japan.
The Olympic Games were started in Olympia, Greece in 776 BC, and took place every four years on the site until 393 AD.
In Ancient Greek mythology, fire had divine connotations and was believed to have been stolen from the gods by Prometheus. With the rebirth of the Olympic Games - called the "Modern Olympiad", the tradition has continued as it had during the ancient times with the lighting of the Olympic torch at Olympia.
Initially, with the revival of the modern Olympic Games in 1896, there was no Olympic Flame but only a procession of lanterns through the city. It was only at the Amsterdam Games in 1928, that the Olympic flame burned above the stadium, but was not lit by the actual flame from Mount Olympus, and only by a switch.
In the 1936 Games at Berlin, for the first time, an Olympic flame was carried by a relay of runners from Olympia - the flame being created by solar reflection provided by a parabolic mirror.
Due to the world-wide pandemic of the Wuhan, China strain of Corona Virus the summer games have been delayed for exactly one year from the initial dates of 23.07.2020.
Adds the book in my personal library titled - "Treasures Of The World- a complete guide to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites" a UNESCO publication:
"Archaeological Site of Olympia, Greece:
Olympia bears exceptional testimony to the ancient civilization of Peloponnesus. The site has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Religious centres of worship succeeded one another during the Hellenic period until, in the tenth century BC, Olympia became a centre of worship of Zeus.
Consecrated to Zeus, the Altis is a major sanctuary that includes the ruins of the two principal temples - the Temple of Hera (sixth century BC) and the Temple of Zeus (fifth century BC).
The sanctuary contained one of the highest concentrations of masterpieces of the ancient Mediterranean world, many of which have been lost. In addition, the site includes the remains of the sports stadia and other structures erected for the Olympic Games, which were held in Olympia every four years beginning in 776 BC.
The significance of the Olympic Games demonstrates the lofty ideals of Hellenic humanism: peaceful competition between free and equal men, whose only ambition is the symbolic reward of an olive wreath. Later, not only athletes but also orators, poets and musicians came to celebrate Zeus at the Games"
The Commemorative Coins:
The Obverse Design of the Coins blends various evocative symbols of the site, classified since 1989 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The remains of ancient archaeological site of Olympia with its columns made from the remains of ancient monuments. The birth-place of the Olympic Games is translated by the Olympic Flame that gushes out of the basin. An Olympian priestess is lighting her torch with the Olympic flame.
In the background, the geometric shapes evoke the Greek amphitheatres and the early Olympic stadiums that hosted the Games in antiquity.
In the centre, in a circular shape is the text "OLYMPIE" and to the left of the Doric column & the flame is the year of issue "2020" engraved vertically.
The Reverse Design of the Coins brings together a representation of a globe and a selection of names of the various sites the Coin Series will include in the coming releases.
To the left of the text of the World Heritage Site names, on the left periphery, is the inscription "PATRIMONIE MONDIAL" ("World Heritage") along with the insignia of the UNESCO Organisation and the denomination of the coins - "10 EURO" (Silver) or "50 EURO" (Gold).
The specifications of the Coin Variants issued in this release are:
Gold Coin Variant:
The Gold Variant - Obverse & Reverse
Theme: UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Mount Olympus; Denomination: 50 Euro; Metal Composition: .999 Gold (Au); Weight: 7.78 grams; Diameter/Size: 22.00 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Mintage: 1,500 pieces; Mint: Monnaie de Paris, France; Designer: Joachim Jimenez; Year: 2020.
Silver Coin Variant:
The Silver Variant Obverse and Reverse
Theme: UNESCO World Heritage Sites - Mount Olympus; Denomination: 10 Euro; Metal Composition: .900 Silver (Ag); Weight: 22.2 grams; Diameter/Size: 37.0 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Mintage: 3,000 pieces; Mint: Monnaie de Paris, France; Designer: Joachim Jiminez; Year: 2020.
A High Priestess lighting her torch with the Olympia Flame
The first release will be followed by two additional releases under this Series during 2020:
Mont Saint-Michel (Coin Release Date: 08.09.2020):
The Design on a yet to be released Mont-Saint-Michel Silver Coin
Listed since 1979, the Mount Saint Michel represents an architectural jewel of a great variety in so far as its construction took place over several centuries since 966 AD. Depicted on the Obverse face of the coin is Mount Saint-Michel, dominated by its abbey, masterpiece of Gothic style.
Adds the book in my personal library titled -"Treasures of the World - a complete guide to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites" a UNESCO Publication:
"Mont Saint-Michel is one of the most important sites of medieval Christian civilization. The Gothic style Benedictine abbey dedicated to the archangel Saint Michel and the village that grew up in the shadow of its great walls are together known as the "Wonder of the West".
It is unequalled, as much because of the coexistence of the abbey and its fortified village within the confined limits of a small island, as for the originality of the placement of the buildings which give Mont Saint-Michel its unforgettable silhouette.
Built between the eleventh and sixteenth centuries, the abbey is a technical and artistic tour-de-force, having adapted to the problems posed by its unique position and site perched on a rocky islet in the midst of vast sandbanks exposed to powerful tides, between Normandy and Brittany.
Mont Saint-Michel forms an architectural complex of great originality, built by successive restructurings and additions throughout the Middle Ages.
In 966 Benedictine monks from St. Wandrille founded the monastery of Saint-Michel-au-Peril-de-la-Mer on a granite tidal island in the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel. A sanctuary dedicated to Saint Michel had already existed on this location for a long time. The oldest part of the present abbey, the small pre-Romanesque church of Notre-Dame-sous-Terre, undoubtedly dates back to the tenth century. There are Romanesque influences in the nave of abbey church and in a group of convent buildings, including the chaplain's residence and the covered gallery of the monks, dating from the twelfth century.
However, it was the architectural advances of the later medieval Gothic period that allowed the island's restricted area to be used to best advantage, in the high walls, soaring masses and airy pinnacles which so harmoniously crown the sharp silhouette of the rock.
The new group of Romanesque convent buildings that were built from 1204, merit the name Merveille (Marvel) for the elegance of their conception. They comprise the chaplain's residence of the twelfth century; the celebrated rooms known as Salles des Hotes and des Chevaliers, with rib vaults that spring from the central colonnades and, on the uppermost floor beside the refectory, the cloister, which is open on one side to the sea."
Mount Fuji (Coin Release Date 06.10.2020:
The design on a Mount Fuji Silver Coin
Mount Fuji is a World Heritage Site since 2013 and is one of the most representative symbols of Japan. On the face of these coins it is depicted as seen from the Chureito pagoda, which enjoys an impregnable view of the sacred mountain, accompanied by a torii topped with a branch of cherry blossom, two other major symbols of the Land of the Rising Sun.
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
Adds the book in my personal library titled - "Treasures Of The World- a complete guide to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites" a UNESCO publication:
"Archaeological Site of Olympia, Greece:
Olympia bears exceptional testimony to the ancient civilization of Peloponnesus. The site has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Religious centres of worship succeeded one another during the Hellenic period until, in the tenth century BC, Olympia became a centre of worship of Zeus.
Consecrated to Zeus, the Altis is a major sanctuary that includes the ruins of the two principal temples - the Temple of Hera (sixth century BC) and the Temple of Zeus (fifth century BC).
The sanctuary contained one of the highest concentrations of masterpieces of the ancient Mediterranean world, many of which have been lost. In addition, the site includes the remains of the sports stadia and other structures erected for the Olympic Games, which were held in Olympia every four years beginning in 776 BC.
The significance of the Olympic Games demonstrates the lofty ideals of Hellenic humanism: peaceful competition between free and equal men, whose only ambition is the symbolic reward of an olive wreath. Later, not only athletes but also orators, poets and musicians came to celebrate Zeus at the Games"
The Commemorative Coins:
The remains of ancient archaeological site of Olympia with its columns made from the remains of ancient monuments. The birth-place of the Olympic Games is translated by the Olympic Flame that gushes out of the basin. An Olympian priestess is lighting her torch with the Olympic flame.
In the background, the geometric shapes evoke the Greek amphitheatres and the early Olympic stadiums that hosted the Games in antiquity.
In the centre, in a circular shape is the text "OLYMPIE" and to the left of the Doric column & the flame is the year of issue "2020" engraved vertically.
The Reverse Design of the Coins brings together a representation of a globe and a selection of names of the various sites the Coin Series will include in the coming releases.
To the left of the text of the World Heritage Site names, on the left periphery, is the inscription "PATRIMONIE MONDIAL" ("World Heritage") along with the insignia of the UNESCO Organisation and the denomination of the coins - "10 EURO" (Silver) or "50 EURO" (Gold).
The specifications of the Coin Variants issued in this release are:
Gold Coin Variant:
Theme: UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Mount Olympus; Denomination: 50 Euro; Metal Composition: .999 Gold (Au); Weight: 7.78 grams; Diameter/Size: 22.00 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Mintage: 1,500 pieces; Mint: Monnaie de Paris, France; Designer: Joachim Jimenez; Year: 2020.
Silver Coin Variant:
Theme: UNESCO World Heritage Sites - Mount Olympus; Denomination: 10 Euro; Metal Composition: .900 Silver (Ag); Weight: 22.2 grams; Diameter/Size: 37.0 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Mintage: 3,000 pieces; Mint: Monnaie de Paris, France; Designer: Joachim Jiminez; Year: 2020.
The first release will be followed by two additional releases under this Series during 2020:
Mont Saint-Michel (Coin Release Date: 08.09.2020):
Listed since 1979, the Mount Saint Michel represents an architectural jewel of a great variety in so far as its construction took place over several centuries since 966 AD. Depicted on the Obverse face of the coin is Mount Saint-Michel, dominated by its abbey, masterpiece of Gothic style.
Adds the book in my personal library titled -"Treasures of the World - a complete guide to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites" a UNESCO Publication:
"Mont Saint-Michel is one of the most important sites of medieval Christian civilization. The Gothic style Benedictine abbey dedicated to the archangel Saint Michel and the village that grew up in the shadow of its great walls are together known as the "Wonder of the West".
It is unequalled, as much because of the coexistence of the abbey and its fortified village within the confined limits of a small island, as for the originality of the placement of the buildings which give Mont Saint-Michel its unforgettable silhouette.
Built between the eleventh and sixteenth centuries, the abbey is a technical and artistic tour-de-force, having adapted to the problems posed by its unique position and site perched on a rocky islet in the midst of vast sandbanks exposed to powerful tides, between Normandy and Brittany.
Mont Saint-Michel forms an architectural complex of great originality, built by successive restructurings and additions throughout the Middle Ages.
In 966 Benedictine monks from St. Wandrille founded the monastery of Saint-Michel-au-Peril-de-la-Mer on a granite tidal island in the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel. A sanctuary dedicated to Saint Michel had already existed on this location for a long time. The oldest part of the present abbey, the small pre-Romanesque church of Notre-Dame-sous-Terre, undoubtedly dates back to the tenth century. There are Romanesque influences in the nave of abbey church and in a group of convent buildings, including the chaplain's residence and the covered gallery of the monks, dating from the twelfth century.
However, it was the architectural advances of the later medieval Gothic period that allowed the island's restricted area to be used to best advantage, in the high walls, soaring masses and airy pinnacles which so harmoniously crown the sharp silhouette of the rock.
The new group of Romanesque convent buildings that were built from 1204, merit the name Merveille (Marvel) for the elegance of their conception. They comprise the chaplain's residence of the twelfth century; the celebrated rooms known as Salles des Hotes and des Chevaliers, with rib vaults that spring from the central colonnades and, on the uppermost floor beside the refectory, the cloister, which is open on one side to the sea."
Mount Fuji (Coin Release Date 06.10.2020:
Mount Fuji is a World Heritage Site since 2013 and is one of the most representative symbols of Japan. On the face of these coins it is depicted as seen from the Chureito pagoda, which enjoys an impregnable view of the sacred mountain, accompanied by a torii topped with a branch of cherry blossom, two other major symbols of the Land of the Rising Sun.
Posts on Coins and stamps issued by France:
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
Santosh Khanna has commented:
ReplyDelete"Excellent Post."
Thank you Khanna sahab.
DeleteRajan Trikha has commented:
ReplyDelete"Highlighting heritage treasure is well thought initiative."
Monnaie de Paris (The Paris Mint) has a tradition of combining the present subjects with the old traditions, Trikha sahab. The only trouble is that their website is in French only. Nevertheless, I manage to cobble up posts from information from here and there.
Delete