To mark the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings, Monnaie de Paris is minting a collection paying tribute to the soldiers of the four major Allied nations. Through four singular destinies, French commandos, British airborne troops and America...
To mark the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings, Monnaie de Paris is minting a collection paying tribute to the soldiers of the four major Allied nations. Through four singular destinies, French commandos, British airborne troops and American and Canadian infantrymen are honored in this historic collection.
James is an American officer in the 1st Infantry Division. He landed on Omaha Beach, nicknamed "Bloody Omaha". Here, he poses in front of the beach at the end of the day. In the background, you can see the bunkers, as well as the many landing crafts and ships out to sea to support the beachhead.
On June 6, 1944, the 16th Infantry Regiment landed at 6:30 a.m. in Normandy, in front of Colleville-sur-Mer. But German resistance was extremely strong and the Americans were on the brink of disaster. Their losses were immense.
But they didn’t lose heart, and break through the Atlantic Wall!
The reverse of these coins depicts a spiral of all the Allied nations that took part in the landings, whether on land, sea or in the air. The stars under the flags are also a tribute to the Liberty Road, the milestones marking the route taken by the 3rd American Army to liberate France, as far as Luxembourg.
Our craftman
THE ENGRAVER
Trained at the best schools, they have the years of experience behind them necessary to master all aspects of the craft. Using industrial oil-based modelling clay and working from a design executed freehand or with CAD software, they skilfully fashion a low relief model in order to enhance the engraving and the way it catches the light. They work alternately with concave and convex plaster moulds until satisfied they have achieved the best 3D rendering of the design.
THE MINTER
The first minters began to ply their trade in France when striking with a hammer appeared in the 4th century BC. Nowdays, minsters use press instead of a hammer. Their knowledge of dies, engraving and metals, and their expertise - passed seamlessly down from one generation to the next for centuries - guarantees the excellence of their work.
