First published in France in 1946, The Little Prince of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry is much more than a children's story: it is a universal work that spans generations, celebrating poetry, friendship and wonder at the world. Translated into 627 languages and dialects, this timeless story has become one of the most widely read and translated books in the world.
Written and illustrated by Antoine de Saint Exupéry, The Little Prince was first published in 1943 in New York in English and French, before being released in France in 1946 by Gallimard, where it became a bestseller, selling over 15 million copies.
To mark the 80th anniversary of the publication of this iconic work in France, Monnaie de Paris is paying tribute to the little traveller from the stars with a collection illustrating 80 years of adventures and journeys, highlighting the different modes of transport associated with the adventures of The Little Prince. Airplanes, planets, compasses, telescopes and luggage are combined in original designs that call for adventure. The Little Prince is an initiatory tale in which the main character leaves his planet to discover others. By highlighting travel, the Monnaie de Paris also pays direct tribute to Antoine de Saint Exupéry, himself a great traveller through his profession as an aviator.
On the obverse, a paper aeroplane flies through a sky dotted with stars, clouds and a single planet. The aeroplane carries two passengers: the Little Prince and the fox, who look over the edge as if observing what is happening below them. The paper aeroplane evokes both the world of childhood and the pages of the book that brings the Little Prince to life.
On the reverse side, the logo for the 80th anniversary of The Little Prince, consisting of the character's bust leaning on his hand in front of the number 80, overlooks the face value. Along the edge, the inscription ‘Le Petit Prince’ in French, English, German and Japanese recalls the universal dimension of the character. The RF mark, the details of the engraving workshop and the engraver, and the year 2026 are also featured.
