Monaco's coins: From the franc to the euro

NewHikaru089 · November 23, 2023, 01:49:11 AM

This thread will highlight all of Monaco's coins, from the franc to the euro. It utilizes images from both Numista and Wikipedia, and abridged text also from Wikipeda.

Monaco, officially the Principality of Monaco (French: Principauté de Monaco, Monégasque: Prinçipatu de Mùnegu), is a sovereign city-state and microstate on the French Riviera, a few kilometers from the west of the Italian region of Liguria, in Western Europe on the Mediterranean Sea. It is bordered by France to the North, East and West. The principality has a population of 38,682 residents, of whom 9,468 are Monégasque nationals. It is recognized as one of the most expensive and wealthiest places in the world. The official language of the principality is French. Monégasque, a local dialect (related to Ligurian), is also spoken, alongside English and Italian.

With a total area of 0.78 square miles (2.02 square kilometers), it is the second-smallest sovereign state in the world after Vatican City. The principality is governed as a constitutional monarchy, currently Albert II, who wields immense political power despite his constitutional status. The prime minister of Monaco, who is the head of the government, can either be a French or Monégasque citizen; the monarch consults with the government of France before an appointment. Key members of the judiciary of Monaco are detached French magistrates. The House of Grimaldi has ruled Monaco, with brief interruptions, since 1297. The state's sovereignty was officially recognized by the Franco-Monégasque Treaty of 1861, with Monaco becoming a full United Nations voting member in 1993. Despite Monaco's independence and seperate foreign policy, its defense is the responsibility of France, besides maintenance of two small military units.

Monaco is not a formal member of the European Union (EU), but it participates in certain EU policies including customs and border controls. Through its relationship with France, Monaco uses the Euro as its sole currency, it previously used the Monégasque franc, which was pegged at a one-to-one rate with the French franc until January 1, 2002.

NewHikaru089 · November 23, 2023, 02:09:06 AM

Flag of Monaco

Monaco's flag, which was similar to its current princely flag but bore an older version of its coat of arms, was in use of the principality's early days (except during its annexation by France from 1793 to 1814), until the present, simpler design was adopted in 1881. The flag of Monaco is graphically simialr to the flag of Indonesia, with differences in their dimension ratios (Indonesia's at 2:3 and Monaco's at 4:5) and the shade of red is much darker for the flag of Monaco. The flag of Poland is also similar, but with the colors reversed - white on top and red on the bottom. The flag of Singapore is also similar, with one difference being a crescent and five stars pointed at the upper left side.

Coat of arms of Monaco

The coat of arms of Monaco is a symbolic representation of the House of Grimaldi. On the left and right are figures of Armored Friars with raised swords, which are a reference of the legend of François Grimaldi, who disguised himself as a monk to capture the Rock of Monaco. The shield features red and white diamonds, referred as a lozenge, and topped by the Princely Crown. Surrounding the shield is the Order of Saint Charles, and a ribbon featuring the description DEO JUVANTE, which translates to With God's Help, which illustrates the Grimaldi family's long history of the Catholic Church as a Holy Power.

NewHikaru089 · November 23, 2023, 02:15:16 AM

Monaco's first coins were issued in 1837, in denominations of 5 centimes, 1 decime and 5 francs. They were issued in the decimal system that the principality issued at the time. The 5 centimes and 1 decime coins were minted in the same standards of the earlier French coins (which France was not minting at the time). The 5 francs coins issued during that time matched that of the French coin issued at the time.

NewHikaru089 · November 23, 2023, 02:19:34 AM

(KM#95.1) (Numista number N#6368) (Images courtesy of Numista)

The first coin issued in 1837 was the 5 centimes coin. The obverse featured an image of Honoré V and the reverse featured the denomination and year of issue contained within a wreath.

NewHikaru089 · November 23, 2023, 02:25:12 AM

(KM#97.1) (Numista number N#6370) (Images courtesy of Numista)

The second coin issued in 1838 was the 1 decime coin. The denomination was equivalent to 10 centimes, which was similar to dimes issued in the United States being equivalent (1 dime/10 cents). The obverse also featured an image of Honoré V and the reverse featured the denomination and year of issue contained within a wreath.

NewHikaru089 · November 23, 2023, 02:29:04 AM

(KM#96) (Numista number N#6371) (Images courtesy of Numista)

The third coin issued as part of the issues of 1837 was the 5 francs coin. The obverse displayed an image of Honoré V and on the reverse it depicted the Coat of arms of Monaco.

NewHikaru089 · November 23, 2023, 03:56:42 AM

No further issues of Monégasque coins were issued until 1882, when gold 100 francs coins were issued until 1904.

NewHikaru089 · November 23, 2023, 04:02:06 AM

(KM#99) (Numista number N#24360) (Images courtesy of Numista)

In 1877, a new coin was issued for circulation in Monaco. It was a gold 100 francs coin, which featured an image of Charles III, Sovereign Prince of Monaco on the obverse and the Coat of arms of Monaco on the reverse.

NewHikaru089 · November 23, 2023, 04:08:16 AM

(Image courtesy of Wikipedia)

Charles III (1818-1889) was the Prince of Monaco and Duke of Valentinois from June 20, 1856 to his death. He was the founder of the Monte Carlo Casino, which was established during his rule to bring in money to the Principality, which was in dire straits at the time. The area where the casino was located, also takes its name from Charles, its founder.

gerard974 · November 23, 2023, 05:03:05 AM

Bonjour
Quelques rajouts

https://hsamarati.wixsite.com/monnaiesdemonaco/jetons-sbm

Cordialement Gérard

NewHikaru089 · November 23, 2023, 11:37:09 AM

(KM#98) (Numista number N#24359) (Images courtesy of Numista)

In 1878, a gold 20 francs was issued for circulation in Monaco. The coin featured an image of Charles III on the obverse and the Coat of arms of Monaco on the reverse.

NewHikaru089 · November 23, 2023, 11:45:24 AM

Only one coin was issued during the reign of Albert I. It was a gold 100 francs coin, issued into circulation from 1891 to 1904.

(KM#105) (Numista number N#24361) (Images courtesy of Numista)

The gold 100 francs coin depicted a bust of Albert I on the obverse and the blazon of the Principality of Monaco with a wreath of laurel and an olive branch.

NewHikaru089 · November 23, 2023, 11:51:31 AM

(Image courtesy of Wikipedia)

Albert I (1848-1922), was Prince of Monaco from September 10, 1889 until his death. Throughout his reign, he devoted his life to oceanography, exploration and science. Albert I made reforms on political, economic and social reforms, and was responsible for bestowing a constitution for the Principality in 1911.

NewHikaru089 · November 23, 2023, 12:05:53 PM

In 1924, a new set of coins were issued for Monaco in denominations of 50 centimes, 1 and 2 francs. They were issued in the same specification of the coins of France that were issued at the time.

(KM#110) (Numista number N#8067) (Images courtesy of Numista)

The first coin issued during the reign of Louis II was the 50 centimes. The obverse featured a figure of Hercules with a bow and the crowned monogram of Louis II. The reverse side featured a sword and the Coat of arms of the House of Grimaldi. The text on the reverse were referred to as "necessity money" and stated that coins were redeemable until September 31, 1926.

(KM#111) (Numista number N#5578) (Images courtesy of Numista)

The second coin issued that year was the 1 franc coin, which featured the same design features as the 50 centimes coin.

(KM#112) (Numista number N#6365) (Images courtesy of Numista)

The third coin issued that year was the 2 francs coin, which also featured the same design features as the 50 centimes and 1 franc coins.

NewHikaru089 · November 23, 2023, 01:34:47 PM

From 1943-1945, during World War II, Monaco issued a new series of coins in denominations of 1, 2 and 5 francs. The 1 and 2 francs coins were undated, with the exception of the 5 francs, which was issued in 1945, featured an image of Louis II on the obverse and the Coat of arms of Monaco on the reverse.