French excellence - Notre-Dame de Paris

In 2024, on the occasion of the reopening to the public of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris after five years of restoration, the Monnaie de Paris partners with this masterpiece of Gothic architecture to mint a collection of coins of excellence.

Working with a distinguished colleague is always an interesting challenge. We each have our own graphic universe, our areas of expertise, and during this type of collection, these two different artistic visions engage in a dialogue, each bringing its own cultural identity and artistic complexities. I believe that the meeting of John and Jo sparked some real fireworks.

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Go behind the scenes of the collection

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Emblematic coins

The coins in this collection celebrate the restoration of Notre-Dame. Lines around the façade evoke scaffolding with the inscription "Rebâtir Notre-Dame" ("Rebuild Notre-Dame"), each letter placed at a different level to symbolize the various trades involved in the restoration. On the reverse side, the illustrations by Arthur Bonifay highlight the artisans working on the reconstruction, such as carpenters, crane operators, and stone carvers. The 10-euro silver and 200-euro gold coins are shaped like a pointed arch, referencing the cathedral's stained-glass windows. The 25-euro silver coin features a chip that, when scanned with a smartphone, allows the owner to register and receive a digital certificate of ownership.