Monacos Coins
The state of Monaco, beside his small area - its the second smallest country in the world - is a sovereign state since its foundation in the fourteenth century, with a little aside during the French Revolution. It therefore has the right to fly its own currency.
Given its very small size and isolation, the currencies of Monaco, as the currencies of the Vatican, are linked to the currency of the state that enclave it - France - and are issued at a very low number of copies. But unlike the Vatican, the pieces are not only issued for collectors, and a few number are in circulation. But above all collectors coins prefers "Beautiful Uncirculated " or "Proof" sold in package.
Monaco began to strike its coins in 1837,. Since that time, the prince of Monaco is generally depicted on coins. At the death of the prince and the news reign of his son, the parts are changed. Until 2002, the official currency was the Monegasque franc, which was linked to the French franc with a ratio of 1 - one Monegasque franc had a value of one French franc - and the currencies were easily exchangeable. The franc Monegasque even had legal tender in France - and of course in Monaco. The franc Monegasque therefore suffers the same re-evaluation of the new franc in 1960. In general, French Monegasques were the same size and same weight as their French equivalents
In 2002 was introduced the first set of coins from Monaco in Euros, representing the arms of Monaco on the 1, 2 and 5 cents, the stamp of Monaco on the 10, 20 and 50 cents, the ruling prince Rainier III with his son Albert II in the background on the coin of 1 Euro, and the reigning Rainier III on the coin of 2 Euros.
After the death of the prince Rainier III in 2005, coins of 10, 20 and 50 cents and coins of 1 and 2 Euros have been changed.
The coins of Monaco are easier to find than those of the Vatican, because unlike the latter, some are put into circulation in the first place for the people of Monaco. Obviously, as time, the pieces slowly spread across Europe, particularly France, given the importance of trade with Monaco. It is therefore quite possible that you find one Monacos coin in your wallet one day returning from the supermarket, so you have to be vigilant. But given the small number of coins issued and in circulation, we can say that the chance of finding one is very low.
Furthermore, the coins put into circulation are still worn to a greater or less and are therefore not favored by collectors. It is best to buy the boxes sold by the Principality each year.
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If you want more informations on Monnaies Monaco, you can visit the Collection de Pices blog.