Shopping Cart
Commemorative coin of the Principality of Monaco, issued in 2023 in a circulation of 15,000 copies. Dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the birth of Prince Rainier III. Minted at the Paris Mint. Bimetallic, diameter 25.75 mm, weight 8.5 g.
Obverse
In the center of the coin is a portrait of Prince Rainier III Grimaldi in adulthood, in profile. At the top, in an arc, is the inscription "100e ANNIVERSAIRE NAISSANCE PRINCE RAINIER III". At the bottom, is "MONACO" and the dates "1923-2023". On the right is the mark of the Paris Mint. 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 the inscription "2 ★", repeated six times alternately upright and inverted.
Historical context
Prince Rainier III Grimaldi (Rainier III, 31 May 1923 - 6 April 2005) was Prince of Monaco from 9 May 1949 to 6 April 2005. His reign lasted 56 years - one of the longest reigns in Europe of the 20th century. He was born in Monaco, the son of Princess Charlotte and Count Pierre de Polignac. He studied in Switzerland and Great Britain. During World War II, he served in the Free French Forces of General de Gaulle, and was awarded the Military Cross. He ascended the throne on 9 May 1949 after the death of his grandfather Louis II. On April 19, 1956, he married American actress Grace Kelly - the ceremony became the "wedding of the century", broadcast around the world. They had Caroline (1957), Albert (1958, the current prince), Stephanie (1965). Grace Kelly tragically died in a car accident in 1982. Rainier III modernized Monaco, turning it into one of the richest principalities: the development of the banking sector, tourism, television, the Formula 1 Grand Prix. He died on April 6, 2005.