2875) "Curtiss P-40 Warhawk", Republic of France: "L'Aviation Historie" ("Aviation & History"): The Monnaie de Paris (The Paris Mint) has issued Gold and Silver Coins in this popular Coin Series featuring this versatile World War II aircraft: Date of Coin issue: 06.06.2023:
The Monnaie de Paris has released its latest coins in the series titled “L’Histoire De L’Aviation” ("Aviation and History") featuring vintage aircraft which was extensively used during the Second World War.
Begun in 2017, this imaginative series on aviation and its history is designed as a tribute to the aircraft that have made the greatest impact in the history of aviation.
From the Spirit of Saint Louis to the most modern aircraft, such as the A380, all eras and types of aircraft will be featured as the series progresses.
The "L'Aviation Historie ("Aviation & History") Coin Series honours two specific planes every year which have contributed to exceptional circumstances in French history.
The Curtiss P-40 Warhawk:
The Header/Banner showcases the Obverse and Reverse of the Silver and Reverse of the Gold Coin issued against a background representation of a Curtiss P-40 Warhawk aircraft menacingly painted as an angry shark. The Header is titled - "CURTISS P-40 "L'HISTORIE DE AVIATION"
Featured for 2023 is the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, a model which was America’s third most-produced fighter aircraft during World War II.
It was first put into service for the first time in 1938 and became one of the most reliable fighter planes in large numbers in the American Air Force until 1943.
It served with great distinction during most of the conflict, thanks to its low cost, its ease of maintenance, and its great robustness.
The single-engine, single-seat, all-metal fighter, and ground-attack aircraft P-40 design was a modification of the previous Curtiss P-36 Hawk, which reduced development time and enabled a rapid entry into production and operational service.
The P-40 earned a reputation in battle for extreme ruggedness and due to their reliability, almost 14,000 P-40s were built and served in the air forces of 28 nations.
The P-40 gained greater attention in the Pacific theatre of conflict days after Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbour.
Pilot Lieutenant Boyd D. Wagner became the first American ace when he shot down six Japanese aircraft in the Philippines in mid-December 1941.
However, by November 1944, production of the P-40 ceased at Curtiss-Wright Corporation’s main production facilities in Buffalo, New York.
The Commemorative Coin issued:
The design of the new coins is the work of Romain Hugault and engraved by Joachin Jiminez.
The Reverse of the Silver and Gold Coins depicts an F-40 Curtiss “Warhawk” in combat above a rice field and against a Japanese plane, symbolising the fighter plane’s involvement in the Pacific theatre during the Second World War.
The design also features the artwork of a plane with “nose art” in the form of a shark’s face.
The menacing teeth were painted on the P40 airplanes by the Flying Tigers, a group of American volunteers with the mission of defending China against Japanese forces. The shark-faced nose art of the P40 is the most recognised nose art of WWII.
Along the upper-right periphery is the text in stylised lettering which reads - "CURTISS P–40". Below and towards the lower left periphery is the text "WARHAWK", and along the upper left periphery is the year of release - "2023".
The Obverse of the Silver and Gold Coins issued in the entire series shares a common Obverse design which features the profiles of two pilots symbolising different eras, both civilian and military aviation.
Below the pilots along the lower right periphery is the name of the collector series "L’HISTOIRE DE L’AVIATION".
Several airplane models are represented in flight, also marking different eras and used as a tribute to the history of the airplane.
The face value is shown at the bottom left as well as the initials "RF", which represents "REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE" ("Republic of France").
The specifications of the Silver and Gold Coin Variants:
i) The specifications of the Gold Coin Variant are:
Denomination: 50 Euros; Metal Composition: .999 Gold (Au); Weight: 7.78 grams; Diameter/Size: 22.00 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Mintage: 500 pieces; Mint: Monnaie de Paris (The Paris Mint); Date/Year: 06.06.2023. Mint Mark: Cornucopia Mint Mark of the Paris Mint; Designer: Romain Hugault; Engraver: Joachin Jiminez.
ii) The specifications of the Silver Coin Variants are:
Denomination: 10 Euros; Metal Composition: .999 Silver (Ag); Weight: 22.20 grams; Diameter/Size: 37.00 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Mintage: 3,000 pieces; Mint: Monnaie de Paris (The Paris Mint); Date/Year: 06.06.2023. Mint Mark: Cornucopia Mint Mark of the Paris Mint; Designer: Romain Hugault; Engraver: Joachin Jiminez.
ii) The specifications of the Silver Coin Variants are:
Denomination: 20 Euros; Metal Composition: .999 Silver (Ag); Weight: 44.40 grams; Diameter/Size: 37.00 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Mintage: 1,000 pieces; Mint: Monnaie de Paris (The Paris Mint); Date/Year: 06.06.2023. Mint Mark: Cornucopia Mint Mark of the Paris Mint; Designer: Romain Hugault; Engraver: Joachin Jiminez.
- Each gold and silver Proof coin is available as a separate purchase, encapsulated, and presented in a branded Monnaie de Paris custom case accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity (COA).
Posts on Coins and Stamps issued by France:
L'Aviation Historie (Aviation & History) Coin Series:
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Links to 2024 Paris Olympic posts:
Women of the World Coin Series:
Natures of France (Natures de France) - Trilogy Coin Series:
Museum Masterpieces Coin Series:
EUROMED stamp issues:
Links on Banknotes & Stamps on Charlie Chaplin:
Links to other posts in Metropolis Tiffany Art Coin Series:
Links to some more posts on the Chinese Lunar calendar/Zodiac signs on this Blog:
Links to other Coins in the Cyborg Revolution Coin Series" issued in this Series:
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Most Haunted Places Coin Series:
Other links to some interesting posts on Coins brought out by Coin Invest Trust on behalf of other countries including the Australian Continent:
29) i) "Trapped", Cook Islands: A Silver 5 Dollars High Relief Coin minted by Smartminting technology in a new design concept brought out by Coin Invest Trust (CIT) on behalf of The Cook Islands
Steampunk Coin Series:
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Fury of Nature Coin Series:
"Confrontation" Coin Series:
Links to other posts on Metropolis Tiffany Art Coin Series:
The 7-Summits Silver Coin Series:
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
Santosh Khanna has commented:
ReplyDelete"A VERY interesting post. Thanks for sharing."
Thank you so much Khanna sahab.
DeleteRaj Kumar Srivastava has commented:
ReplyDelete"Informative."
Thanks, Raj.
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