Monaco, Rainier III, Set 100-3000 Frs
25th Anniversary of reign - 1974 - MDP
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Head of Rainier III at left, his name above, name of engraver below his collar, date below.
Coat of arms of Monaco, denomination below, commemorated event inscribed above.
Rare Monegasque set consisting of four prestige coins in blister packaging (100, 1000, 2000 and 3000 Francs) minted in 1974 by the Monnaie de Paris to mark the 25th anniversary of the reign of Rainier III of Monaco. The 100 Franc silver 0.999 coin weighs 37.1 g and has a diameter of 40 mm. It was minted in 25,000 examples and is referenced in the Gadoury as number MC168. The two coins of 1000 Francs and 2000 Francs, both in platinum 0.997, were struck in 10,000 examples each (Gadoury MC169 and MC170). The 1000 Francs weighs 9.97 g and measures 24 mm, while the 2000 Francs has a diameter of 30 mm and a weight of 19.98 g. The last coin is a 3000 Francs in 0.999 gold, weighing 28.8 g and measuring 32 mm, of which only 5000 were issued (Gadoury MC171). The iconography is the same for all four coins: head of Rainier III, date, names of the sovereign and engraver on the obverse; coat of arms of Monaco, denomination and commemorated event on the reverse. The rarity of this red velvet box is explained by the low mintage of the coins in it, and by the large number of recast coins that were not as successful as expected when first issued. The two coins of 1000 Francs and 2000 Francs are particularly interesting as they are the only platinum coins issued by the Principality of Monaco. They have no "libératoire value", i.e. they are not intended for circulation or use. They are prestige coins minted for collecting purposes and/or to celebrate an event - in this case, Rainier III's 25-year reign. Rainier III became Prince of Monaco on May 9, 1949, following the death of his grandfather Louis II and the renunciation of the throne by his mother Princess Charlotte. His reign - one of the longest in the Monegasque principality - lasted over 55 years, ending in 2005 with his death. A great builder and modernizer, Rainier III is best known for having married the famous American actress Grace Kelly, with whom he had several children, including Albert II, the current Prince of Monaco. This set is therefore of great interest due to its rarity, and is part of Monaco's prestige coin issue celebrating the anniversaries of the reigns of its sovereigns.
420.7 gr
An “MS(65-70)” quality
As in numismatics it is important that the state of conservation of an item be carefully evaluated before it is offered to a discerning collector with a keen eye.
This initially obscure acronym comprising two words describing the state of conservation is explained clearly here:
Mint State(65-70)
This means – more prosaically – that the coin is brand new and free from defects, thus in the state it left the mint. It has probably never been in circulation or seen the bottom of a pocket up close. The term “fleur de coin” is also used internationally to refer to the first coins struck with a new die. By extension, this term thus also now describes “perfect” coins not displaying any defects and retaining their full original luster.
