On Wednesday 6 th March 2024, the Monnaie de Paris, the French mint, made a historic announcement that they will be releasing new coins featuring three exceptional women. The new 10, 20 and 50 centime coins will be put into circulation between now and the summer of 2024. The three women who will be featured on the coins are Simone Veil, Josephine Baker and Marie Curie.
Joaquin Jimenez, the general engraver at La Monnaie de Paris, was responsible for designing the new coins that feature the three women buried in the Panthéon.
The women were chosen for their remarkable contributions to French society and culture that significantly impacted the country’s history and development. Jimenez’s design showcases the intricate details of each woman’s face and captures the essence of their legacy on French society. It’s a fantastic tribute to these historical figures and a celebration of their lives and achievements.
Homage to Three Phenomenal Women
Simone Veil was a prominent French lawyer and politician who made history as the first woman to preside over the European Parliament. She was also a Holocaust survivor who fought for women’s rights throughout her prominent political career, until her death in 2017. Her contributions to the feminist movement are still celebrated today.
Josephine Baker was a renowned American-born French entertainer, singer, dancer and political activist in the 1920’s. Known for her performance in the Folies Bergère and her signature banana skirt, she was an active French resident and civil rights activist. She made history as the first black woman to star in a major motion picture and was renowned for her contributions to the Civil Rights Movement and worked with the French resistance during World War II. Her performances often challenged racial stereotypes and promoted equality, making her an icon of anti-racism activism. She was the first Black woman to preform at the Paris Opera.
Arguably the best known world wide, Maire Curie was a pioneering Polish-born physicist and chemist who made groundbreaking discoveries in radioactivity. She was the first woman to win a Noble Prize, and the first person to win two Nobel Prizes in different fields (physics and chemistry). Her research paved the way for advancements in x-rays and radiation therapy, which have saved countless lives.
The Monnaie de Paris
La Monnaie de Paris is a unique institution located in the heart of Paris that has been minting money for the French state since 864. It’s the oldest French institution and one of the oldest companies in the world. Behind the doors of an 18th-century palace, the Monnaie de Paris houses the last remaining working factory in Paris, where it produces exceptional products such as medals, coins, decorations, and objets d’art in its historic workshops on the Quai de Conti. In addition, La Monnaie de Paris has a site in Pessac (Gironde) where it produces both French and foreign coins, as well as collector’s coins, thanks to its high-level industrial expertise.
La Monnaie de Paris also supports arts and crafts through its production of exceptional products. Thanks to its museum, the Paris site offers a remarkable and sensory collection, combining heritage collections and views of the art workshops. It’s an incredible institution that is deeply rooted in French history and culture, and continues to play an important role in the country’s economy and artistic landscape.
The French Mint is known for producing a wide range of commemorative coins that celebrate important events, people, and places in French history and culture. These coins are often highly collectible and sought after by coin enthusiasts and history buffs around the world. Some of the most popular commemorative coins made by La Monnaie de Paris include those honoring famous French landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral, as well as those that pay tribute to notable figures like Napoleon Bonaparte and Marie Curie. With its long history and expertise in coin production, La Monnaie de Paris continues to be an important player in the world of numismatics and a key cultural institution in France.
