3992) Citroën DS, Republique Francaise (Republic of France): "Automotive styling inspires French coin design": Monnaie de Paris (The Paris Mint) is issuing €20 tenth-ounce Gold Coin and €10 and €20 version Silver Coins remembering the Legacy: Date/Year of Coins issue: 2025:
The Citroën DS is a front mid-engined, front-wheel drive executive car manufactured and
marketed by Citroën from 1955 to 1975, in fastback/sedan, wagon/estate, and
convertible body configurations, across three series of one generation.
Marketed with a less expensive variant, the Citroën ID, the DS was known for its aerodynamic, futuristic body design; unorthodox, quirky, and innovative technology, and set new standards in ride quality, handling, and braking, thanks to both being the first mass production car equipped with hydropneumatic suspension, as well as disc brakes. The 1967 series 3 also introduced directional headlights to a mass-produced car.
Italian sculptor and industrial designer Flaminio Bertoni and the French aeronautical engineer André Lefèbvre styled and engineered the car, and Paul Magès developed the hydropneumatic self-levelling suspension.
Robert Opron designed the 1967 Series 3 facelift. Citroën built 1,455,746 examples in six countries, of which 1,330,755 were manufactured at Citroën's main Paris "Quai de Javel" (now "Quai André-Citroën") production plant.
In combination with Citroën's proven front-wheel drive, the DS was used competitively in rally racing during almost its entire 20‑year production run, and achieved multiple major victories, as early as 1959, and as late as 1974.
It
placed third in the "1999 Car of the Century poll" recognising the world's most
influential auto designs and was named the "most beautiful car of all time by
Classic & Sports Car magazine".
The name DS and ID are puns in the French language. "DS" is pronounced exactly like déesse, lit. 'goddess', whereas "ID" is pronounced as idée ('idea').
The automotive world witnessed a revolution in 1955 with the arrival of the Citroën DS. Presented at the Paris Motor Show, the DS was not simply a new car, but a radical change from anything seen before.
With its avant-garde design and technological innovations, it redefined the automotive industry standards and public perception.
What made the Citroën DS such an innovative car was first and foremost its bold, futuristic silhouette, with its slender lines and meticulous aerodynamics, imagined by the famous Italian designer Flaminio Bertoni. It broke off with the square, angular shapes of post-war cars, embodying a fluid elegance that remains a model of inspiration today.
The Commemorative Coins:
The styling of the French automobile Citroën DS was a game changer in 1955 and Monnaie de Paris is issuing 2025 Gold and Silver Coins honoring the legacy. Shown is the Silver €10 coin.
To celebrate its 70th anniversary, the Monnaie de Paris has designed a collection of coins in its honour. The series highlights the bold aesthetics and technical excellence of the DS, underlining its major impact on the evolution of the automobile.
“The DS is a true symbol of French design and expertise, with its unique lines and revolutionary comfort. In designing it, I wanted to capture the elegance and innovation that have marked generations and made it a legend,” said engraver Joaquin Jimenez.
Gold and silver collector coins were launched on June 3.
The lone gold offering is a €20 tenth-ounce coin with a limited mintage of 1,000 pieces.
Two silver coins in the series, a €10 and €20 version, will also have limited mintages. The €20 coin features high relief while the €10 piece is similar in design to the gold issue.
This first commemorative silver 10 EURO denomination features a DS 23 produced in 1975, whose swivelling headlights, another innovation from this legendary car, light up the front of the coin.
The light is produced with a clever gold colour for a striking contrast.
Below, like a reflection, we see the original 1955 DS. Both versions symbolise the design development of the DS.
On the text side, we find the “DS” name and “1955”, the year of the first model accompanied by the “RF” République Française reference, but also the year of the coin “2025”. This collector’s coin is presented in a folder that looks back on the DS story in pictures.
An authentic theme common in French Mint collections, the silver 10 EURO denominations feature a uniform design on the Reverse: the face value of the coin surrounded by an oak and laurel branch.
Evoking the abbreviation of the Euro, everything is surrounded by a collection of lines representing France. Like a cornerstone, this common Reverse side allows one to build up a collection of 10€ coins that spans different topics from the French Mint.
In an imaginary way, this design evokes the spirit of the X-shaped steering wheel from the cockpit of N°8, the new DS Automobiles flagship revealed on 12th December.
Links:
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
Links to the Mutiny on the Bounty Coins/Stamps:
Links to other posts in Metropolis Tiffany Art Coin Series:
Rajan Trikha has commented:
ReplyDelete"Very informative post."
Thank you so much Trikha sahab.
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