Josephine Baker is one of the most influential figures of the 20th century, and in 2025 we commemorate the 50th anniversary of her death. This collection, unveiled to mark International Women’s rights Day and a powerful symbol of the fight for gender equality and women's rights around the world, celebrates a woman whose life was marked by audacity, artistry and an unwavering commitment to human rights and freedom.
HER STORY
Joséphine Baker, born in 1906, left her mark on history in many ways. This collection of collectors coins commemorates the different aspects of her life, each one illustrated. In the 1920s, Joséphine Baker was at the summit of her artistic career when she became the undisputed queen of the Roaring Twenties in Paris, where she shone on the stage of the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées. Her influence as a black artist in a Europe fascinated by the exotic made her an icon of freedom of speech. A Resistance fighter and Second World War heroine, she used her fame and travels to pass on valuable information to the Allies as a spy for the French Resistance, concealing messages in her musical scores. For her acts of bravery, she was presented to several prestigious decorations, including the War Cross and the Resistance Medal. In 1961, she was also made a Knight of the Legion of Honour by General De Gaulle.
Alongside her artistic career, Joséphine Baker was involved in the fight for equality and civil rights. Her support for the African-American liberation movements and her participation in the March on Washington alongside Martin Luther King in 1963 symbolised her dedication to racial justice. She was a pioneer in the fight against racism, as the first black woman to address a large audience at this historic event. Driven by a utopian vision of a world without discrimination, she adopted twelve children from different backgrounds, forming her famous "Rainbow Tribe". Through this initiative, she wanted to prove that people of different races and cultures could live together in harmony and love.
Throughout her life, Joséphine Baker received numerous distinctions, not only for her artistic performances but above all for her heroic and humanitarian actions. In addition to the War Cross, the Resistance Medal and the Legion of Honour, she was transferred to the Pantheon in 2021. Her recognition transcends borders, as does her message of peace and equality.
Not only did she break down racial barriers in a world dominated by prejudice, she also proved, through her commitment, that art and freedom are powerful tools for transforming society.
Joséphine Baker was an American-born dancer, singer, actress and resistance fighter of mixed race. Initially known for her dance performances in the United States, she moved to Paris where she became a veritable icon of the Roaring Twenties. She became a French citizen in 1937, and her universal popularity enabled her to fight racism everywhere.
Her most famous portrait is engraved on the face of this coin. In the background, an art deco background typical of the 1920s, of which she was the queen.
The reverse shows other parts of her life. Her past as an adoptive mother and humanist is represented by the famous "Rainbow Tribe", as well as her past as a Resistance fighter and heroine with several decorations: the Croix de Guerre medal, the Légion d'Honneur medal and the commemorative medal for voluntary services to Free France. Finally, there is an evocation of her past as a singer and dancer, star of the Roaring Twenties, with a profile of Joséphine Baker in stage dress and an Art Deco feather background. A famous quotation from Joséphine Baker surrounds all the different facets of her life: "I have learned never to underestimate a woman's strength and resilience". Monnaie de Paris logo and that of Joaquin Gimenez, Engraver General of the Monnaie de Paris, are also present, as is the year 2025.
