This 25€ silver proof 2 oz coin is the first connected coin in the world.
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.
Gustave Eiffel is a prime example of the pioneering entrepreneur who, throughout his life, sought to meet the technical and scientific challenges he encountered, sometimes pushing back the limits of what was thought possible. To pay tribute to him in the finest possible way, Monnaie de Paris was determined to follow his example and take up the challenge of technical and technological innovation for this collection. It has developed the world's very first connected coin, a collector coin that tells a story far beyond its engraving.
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.
The chip is located on the reverse of the coin, under a pad-printed resin featuring the top of the Eiffel Tower. The colour used for this part of the design is inspired by engravings dating from the 1889 Universal Exhibition, to match the original colour of the Tower.
This coin contains an NFC chip which, when scanned and without prior registration, reveals the digital certificate authenticating the coin's characteristics. Customers can then choose whether or not to register on the blockchain to prove ownership of the coin.
Moreover, the real attraction of this innovation lies in the additional privileged content dedicated to Gustave Eiffel accessible on the application. The owner of the product will be able to consult, among others, documents from the archives of the Musée d'Orsay, selected by Monnaie de Paris and the association of Gustave Eiffel's descendants.
