In 2023,
Monnaie de Paris pays tribute to Gustave Eiffel on the centenary of his death
through a collection of coins and medals highlighting the man and his life's
work. Famous French engineer and entrepreneur specialized in the construction
of metal structures, Gustave Eiffel has shaped the landscapes of France and the
world with his iconic works.
Monnaie de
Paris is proud to commemorate this great Man with a collection that links him
for posterity to his favourite material.
The obverse
of the coin features a portrait of Gustave Eiffel posing in front of an arch of
the tower that bears his name. The portrait has been drawn in such a way that
the features of the face, the hair and the clothes of the man are made of
rivets, as if Gustave Eiffel was one with the metal structures that he imagined
throughout his life.
The reverse
of the coin features representations of some of the architect's major works. At
its centre, the Eiffel Tower seen from above divides the design into several
zones. In the space to the left, the Statue of Liberty reveals its skeleton.
Above the top of the tower, one can see the Garabit viaduct. On the right is
the plan of the aeroplane designed by Gustave Eiffel, the LE. Finally, below
the tower is the Maria Pia de Porto bridge, which straddles the face value.
