2016-07-04 Mon

The latest release of a three-coin commemorative set named as the Great French Ships coin series by Monnaie de Paris celebrates the 858-foot-long aircraft carrier - Charles de Gaulle. Charles de Gaulle headed the provisional government from 1944 to 1946, was the prime minister from 1958 to 1959 and the president from 1959 to 1969. He died when he was 79 in 1970.

The aircraft was ordered in 1986, constructed in 1987, launched in 1994, and commissioned on 18th May, 2001. It is currently the largest official warship in Western Europe and only the nuclear-powered carrier.

The obverse of this 50 Euro Silver Coin shows the carrier in the direction of the ship’s landing strip with the control tower and radar dishes visible. Dassault Rafale fighter jet, which was first introduced in 2001, flies above with the name “gust of wind” or “burst of fire”. Other inscriptions include three series of hash marks, ‘LE CHARLES DE GAULLE’, two tampion motifs one with ‘RF’ for REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE and the other with a stylized anchor.

The reverse of all the coins depicts the profiles of the five ships with a chain, under which appears the date ‘2016’. Other inscriptions include “horn of plenty”, (the Monnaie de Paris mintmark), the mint master initials AG, MP and YS; ‘LES GRANDS NAVIRES FRANCAIS’ for “the Great French Ships” and ‘50 EURO’.

The mintage of the coin is limited to 250 pieces only.

The series started in 2012 by depicting the French military cruiser Jeanne d’Arc. Since that, coins have been issued every year featuring a warship, a sailing vessel and an ocean liner. The three-coin sets include a 10-euro silver coin, a five-ounce 50-euro silver coin, and a quarter-ounce 50-euro gold coin with proof finish. These coins are very popular among collectors who are interested in collecting French coins or those who like collecting coins with a nautical theme.