Shopping Cart
Commemorative coin of the Principality of Monaco, issued in 2013 in a circulation of 110,500 copies. Dedicated to the 20th anniversary of Monaco's accession to the UN. Minted at the Paris Mint. Bimetallic, diameter 25.75 mm, weight 8.5 g.
Obverse
The center of the coin depicts a dove of peace with an olive branch in its beak — the symbol of the UN — against the background of a stylized composition of the five continents. At the top in large letters — the inscription "MONACO". At the bottom — "1993 – ADMISSION a L'ONU – 2013" (1993 – Admission to the UN – 2013). Around the bottom of the inscription is the mark of the Paris Mint (cornucopia) and the symbol of the mint director or a pentagon with the letters AGMP (Atelier de Gravure de la Monnaie de Paris et Pessac). 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, alternating upright and inverted.
Historical context
Monaco became the 183rd member state of the United Nations on 28 May 1993. Prior to that, Monaco had had observer status at the UN since 1956, meaning it could participate in meetings but without the right to vote. The issue of accession was complicated by the country's small size (only 2.02 km²) and its special relationship with France (under a 1918 treaty, France guaranteed Monaco's sovereignty in exchange for consultations on foreign policy). Prince Rainier III initiated the process of full membership; after the ratification of the new constitution in 1962 and the further modernization of agreements with France in 1992, Monaco was able to apply. Monaco was admitted to the United Nations by General Assembly Resolution 47/231 of 28 May 1993. This became an important symbol of the principality's full international sovereignty. Monaco actively participates in the activities of the UN, especially in matters of environmental protection, the law of the sea (since Monaco is a maritime country) and cultural diplomacy.