2598) "Phryge" (the official 2024 XXXIII Olympiad mascots), France: 50 Euro (Gold) and 10 Euro (Silver) Collector Coins issued by the Monnaie de Paris (The Paris Mint) introduce Phryge: Year of Coin issue: 2022:
The Monnaie de Paris has released new 50 Euro (Gold) and 10 Euro (Silver) collector coins featuring the official mascots representing the 2024 XXXIII Olympiad, scheduled to be hosted in Paris from the 26.07.2024 to 11.08.2024, followed by the Paralympics from the 28.08.2024 to the 08.09.2024.
The mascots:
The designs of the mascots are based on the Phrygian cap, an item of clothing that is a symbol of freedom and has been part of French history for centuries, dating back to ancient times.
About the Phrygian Cap:
The design of the mascot has been inspired by the symbols of freedom and justice used during the French Revolution.
These symbols include the Phrygian Cap used by the inhabitants of Phrygia (a former region of Asia Minor, currently part of Turkey).
The Romans gave a special meaning to this cap, as slaves wore it when they were freed.
During the French Revolution, the cap became a symbol of liberty and was recognised as such throughout the world.
It was used extensively during the Mexican and South American Revolutions to free their nations from the Spanish occupation. In several countries, including Mexico, the Phrygian Cap has been depicted on their coinage as a symbol of freedom.
Paris 2024 Mascots:
"Olympic Phryge":
The name of the Paris 2024 mascot is "Olympic Phryge," based on the traditional small Phrygian caps that the mascots are shaped after. The name and design were chosen as symbols of freedom and to represent allegorical figures of the French Republic.
Description:
The Olympic Phryge takes the shape and form of a Phrygian cap.
As Paris 2024’s vision is to demonstrate that sport can change lives, the mascots will be playing a major role by leading a revolution through sport.
The Olympic Phryge is decked out in blue, white and red - the colours of France’s famed tricolor flag - with the golden Paris 2024 logo emblazoned across its chest.
Phrygian Caps in France:
The Phrygian caps the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic mascots are based on have been a symbol of freedom throughout French history.
They are a common reference for French people, including in the world of art (as a metaphor for freedom) and as a symbol of the Republic in French institutions.
Phrygian caps can be seen sitting atop the head of the iconic figure Marianne in every town hall and even feature on everyday objects in France such as coins and stamps.
They are also an international symbol of liberty worn by freed slaves in Roman times and appearing on different emblems in North and South America. Also known as the liberty cap, the Phrygian cap has become one of the symbols of the French Republic.
The Motto:
The motto of the Olympic Phryge and Paralympic Phryge is:
“Alone we go faster, but together we go further,” representing the ways in which the mascots, and the people of the world, can make each other better by working side-by-side.
The Commemorative Coins:
The Reverse of the 50 Euro Gold and 10 Euro Silver Coins features "Olympic Phryge" with the Games logo emblazoned on its chest.
The mascot’s oversized feet are dressed in tennis shoes and surrounded by the background of an all-over motif made up of the letters of the word - "PARIS 2024". An arch is part of the design and is in the Art Deco style.
The Obverse of the 50 Euro Gold and 10 Euro Silver Coins which is common to both the gold and silver coins in the series, presents a view of Paris where the River Seine takes on the appearance of an athletics track.
The Eiffel Tower dominates the city and illuminates the competition.
Cutting through the rays of light is the official logo of the Paris Games placed at the top of the primary design with the initials "RF" (standing for "Republique Francaise") in the centre.
The denomination is superimposed over the design and shown just under the initials. The denomination of "50 EURO (Gold) or 10 EURO (Silver)" is positioned just below the image of the Eiffel Tower.
The specifications of the two Coin Variants are:
i) Gold Coin Variant:
Country: Republic of France ("Repubique Francaise"); Year of Coin issue: 2022; Coin Theme: "2024 XXXIII Paris Olympics & Paralympics Mascot"; Coin Denomination: 50 Euro; Metal Composition: 999 Fineness Gold (Au); Weight: 7.78 grams; Diameter/Size: 22.00 mm; Coin Quality: Proof (P); Mint: Monnaie de Paris (The Paris Mint); Mintage: 1,500 pieces.
ii) Silver Coin Variant:
Country: Republic of France ("Repubique Francaise"); Year of Coin issue: 2022; Coin Theme: "2024 XXXIII Paris Olympics & Paralympics Mascot"; Coin Denomination: 10 Euro; Metal Composition: 999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 22.20 grams; Diameter/Size: 37.00 mm; Coin Quality: Proof (P); Mint: Monnaie de Paris (The Paris Mint); Mintage: 10,000 pieces.
- Both the Gold and Silver pieces are encapsulated and presented in a Monnaie de Paris-branded case, accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity (COA).
1) For more on the Olympics and Paralympics held in the past, including the origins and history of the Olympics and Commemorative coins issued both on London Olympics and Paralympics please read my post on the London Olympics 2012 link as follows: History of the ancient & modern Olympics and Paralympics & commemorative coins issued during the London Olympics and Paralympics
4) For Rio 2016, please click on the following link to get interesting insights into the mascots of the Rio Olympics Vinicius and Tom, the Games and the Commemorative Coins and stamps issue programme: 1)The 31st Summer Olympics "Rio 2016"2) Commemorative Stamps and booklets issued by the Department of Posts, India on 05.08.2016
5) For Ancient Olympic Games on Greek Coins of Antiquity, please click on the following link: Ancient Olympic Games on Greek Coins of Antiquity
6) For a set of Post cards titled "Olympic Events" : please click on the following link: "Olympic Events": A set of 12 Post Cards issued by the Karnataka Postal Circle, India Post on 11.07.2016
7) For a presentation set of two stamps titled "Spirit of Olympics, Athens, Atlanta" please visit the following link: Spirit of the Olympic Games, Athens-Atlanta: Celebrating the Centenary of the Modern Olympic Games
8) For a presentation set of four stamps titled "XXVIII Olympic Games" (2004 Summer Olympics Athens, Greece, please visit the following link: XVIII Summer Olympic Games, Athens Greece (2004)
9) For a presentation set of two stamps titled "XXIX Olympic Games" (2008 Summer Olympics, Beijing, China, please visit the following link: XXIX Olympic Games Beijing, China: 08.08.08- 24.08.08: A Presentation set of four stamps issued by India Post on 08.08.08
For other interesting posts on honouring the work done for the blind/visually impaired persons please visit the following links:
1) A tour of Pune's Blind School and interaction with the students - a short story
2) A two-Rupee coin issued by the Indian Mints honouring Louis Braille on the occasion of his 200th Birth Anniversary in 2009 and a brief report on the Braille system
6) Honouring Louis Braille on the Bicentenary of his birth in 2009
Links to other posts in Metropolis Tiffany Art Coin Series:
Rajan Trikha has commented:
ReplyDelete"Very interesting post"
Thank you so much, Trikha sahab
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