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Commemorative coin of the Principality of Monaco, 2 euros, issued in 2012 in a circulation of 110,000 copies. Dedicated to the 500th anniversary of the sovereignty of Monaco. It was minted at the Paris Mint. Bimetallic, diameter 25.75 mm, weight 8.5 g.
Obverse
The obverse depicts a portrait of Lucian I Grimaldi (Lucien Ier, or Luciano Monaco), Lord of Monaco (1505-1523), turned to the left. Around the portrait is the inscription "1512 SOUVERAINETÉ DE MONACO 2012". Below is the inscription "LUCIEN Ier" (Lucian I). On the right is the mark of the Paris Mint (cornucopia). On the outer ring are the 12 five-pointed stars of the European Union.
Reverse
The reverse is the common side of the 2 euro coins of the second type, designed by Luc Luix (Royal Belgian Mint). It depicts a map of Europe as a single continent without internal borders - a symbol of European unity. On the left is a large denomination "2" and the inscription "EURO", on the right is a map with six thin horizontal lines in the background. On the outer ring are the 12 stars of the European Union. The band is finely fluted and has the inscription "2 ★" repeated six times, alternately upright and inverted.
Historical context
Monaco's sovereignty was formally recognized in 1512, when King Louis XII of France, in the Edict of 1 April 1512, officially recognized the Lord of Monaco as sovereign ruler "in liberum perpetuumque feudum" (in perpetual free possession). At that time, the Lord of Monaco was Lucien I Grimaldi (Lucien Ier de Monaco, c. 1481-1523). Lucien became Lord on 11 October 1505 after, according to tradition, he killed his predecessor and brother Jean II Grimaldi in the palace. He ruled Monaco from 1505 until his death on 22 August 1523. During his reign, Monaco played an important role in the struggle between the French and Spanish crowns for influence in Italy. The Edict of Louis XII in 1512 formally completed the long process of establishing Monaco's independence from various overlords - Genoese, Provençal, French. The Grimaldi dynasty has ruled Monaco since 1297 to the present day (over 720 years) - one of the longest-lasting dynasties in Europe. The current ruler is Prince Albert II (since 2005).