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10081361160000

In the heart of Monnaie de Paris
Discoveries - special issue

€14.50
A 76-page special issue on the secrets of a thousand-year-old institution in the heart of Paris. From the pound to the teston, from the franc to the euro, whether it is gold, silver or nickel, Monnaie de Paris has been faithful to its vocatio...
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In the heart of Monnaie de Paris Discoveries - special issue
€14.50

    Description

    A 76-page special issue on the secrets of a thousand-year-old institution in the heart of Paris. 

    From the pound to the teston, from the franc to the euro, whether it is gold, silver or nickel, Monnaie de Paris has been faithful to its vocation for twelve centuries: minting money, while constantly innovating and reinventing itself. Located in the current "Hôtel des Monnaies" since 1775, France's oldest institution It creates collector coins and medals as well as art works, while its factory in Pessac has been minting circualtion coins since 1973. From the Grand Monnayage to the enameling workshop, from the foundry to the metal archives, from the treasures of the museum to the discovery of an original architecture, this book reveals to us places sometimes unsuspected and reveals the secrets of an exceptional conservatory of know-how.

    French version. 

    Format : 150 x 200 mm

    Our craftman

    • THE ENAMELLER

      Our creations are enamelled using a rare technique known as grand feu enamelling. Another workshop sends the enameller a decoration, piece of jewellery or struck medal with hollow spaces on its surface. Using a dip pen, needle or brush, the enameller fills these hollows with enamel, which they have prepared themselves. The fixing of the variously coloured enamel powders is controlled by short, successive firings at 900 degrees.

    • THE MEDAL MINTER

      The medal minter transforms a blank into a medal, alternating between striking to bring out the relief and annealing to return the metal to a more malleable state. The blank is struck as many times as necessary, depending on the diameter, depth and detail of the engraving. Finally, surface treatments are applied to enhance the finished piece

    • THE ENGRAVER

      Trained at the best schools, they have the years of experience behind them necessary to master all aspects of the craft. Using industrial oil-based modelling clay and working from a design executed freehand or with CAD software, they skilfully fashion a low relief model in order to enhance the engraving and the way it catches the light. They work alternately with concave and convex plaster moulds until satisfied they have achieved the best 3D rendering of the design.

    • THE MINTER

      The first minters began to ply their trade in France when striking with a hammer appeared in the 4th century BC. Nowdays, minsters use press instead of a hammer. Their knowledge of dies, engraving and metals, and their expertise - passed seamlessly down from one generation to the next for centuries - guarantees the excellence of their work.