Euro gold and silver commemorative coins are special euro coinsminted and issued by member states of the Eurozone, mainly in gold and silver, although other precious metals are also used in rare occasions. Monaco was one of the first countries allowed to introduced the euro (€) on 1 January 2002, although they are not officially part of the Eurozone. Since then, the Monnaie de Paris in France have been minting both normal issues of Monégasque euro coins, which are intended for circulation, and commemorative euro coins in gold and silver.[citation needed]
These special coins have a legal tender only in Monaco, unlike the normal issues of the Monegasque euro coins, which have a legal tender in every country of the Eurozone. This means that the commemorative coins made of gold and silver cannot be used as money in other countries. Furthermore, as their bullion value[1] and collectable value generally vastly exceeds their face value, these coins are not intended to be used as means of payment at all—although it remains possible. For this reason, they are usually named Collectors' coins.[citation needed]
The coins usually commemorate the anniversaries of historical events or draw attention to current events of special importance. Monaco mints one of these coins on average per year, in both gold and silver, with face value ranging from 5 to 100 euros.
Summary
As of 28 December 2008, seven variations of Monegasque euro commemorative coins have been minted: one in 2002, two in 2003, one in 2004, one in 2005 and two in 2008. These special high-value commemorative coins are not to be confused with €2 commemorative coins, which are coins designated for circulation and do have legal tender status in all countries of the Eurozone.[2]
The following table shows the number of coins minted per year. In the first section, the coins are grouped by the metal used, while in the second section they are grouped by their face value.
This was the first euro commemorative coin issued by Monaco. On the obverse the effigy of ruling Prince Rainier III is depicted. On the reverse the Grimaldi's Coat of Arms is shown surrounded by the 12 stars representing the European Union and its face value of €20.
This coin was issued to celebrate the 80th birthday of Prince Rainier III. On the obverse his effigy with the effigy of the Crown Prince Albert II is depicted. On the reverse the Grimaldi's Coat of Arms is shown; around it the words "Principauté de Monaco" (Principality of Monaco) with its face value of €10.
This coin was issued to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Prince Rainier III. On the obverse, the effigy of Prince Rainier III is depicted. In reverse, the official Grimaldi's seal is shown; around it the words "Principauté de Monaco" (Principality of Monaco) with its face value of €100.
Saint Devota (French: Sainte Dévote) (d. ca. 303 AD) is the patron saint of Corsica and Monaco. Legend has it that she was killed during the persecutions of Diocletian and Maximian. She is sometimes identified with another Corsican saint named Julia, who was described in Latin as Deo devota ("devoted to God").
This coin was issued to commemorate the 1700th anniversary of her death. On the obverse, an effigy of Prince Rainier III is depicted. On the reverse a statue of the saint is present. Next to it, a representation of the legendary dove safely guiding the boat to the coast of Monaco is present.
On the obverse, the effigy of Prince Albert II is depicted together with his name on the top of the coin. On the reverse the Grimaldi's Coat of Arms is shown; around it the words "Principauté de Monaco" (Principality of Monaco) can be seen with its face value of €5 and €20 respectively.
His Serene Hignness Prince Albert II and his fiancé Miss Charlene Wittstock of South Africa were married in a civil ceremony in Monte Carlo on 1 July 2011 and in a religious ceremony at the Princley Palace on 2 July. A €2 circulation and collector's coin with the similar design was also issued to mark the occasion.
The silver collector's coin was issued on 1 December to mark the 400th anniversary of the first use of the title "Sovereign Prince" by Honore II, Lord of Monaco who reigned from 1604 until 1662.
Notes
^Precious metals in bulk form are known as bullion, and are traded on commodity markets. Bullion metals may be cast into ingots, or minted into coins. The defining attribute of bullion is that it is valued by its mass and purity rather than by a face value as money.
