New 2022 french €1 and €2 circulation coins

ON THE OCCASION OF THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE EURO, THE PARIS MINT UNVEILS THE NEW FACE OF THE FRENCH €1 AND €2 COINS. The French President’s speech at the Élysée Palace on December 9th heralded a historic year for the Monnaie de Paris. On the occasion of a double event – the anniversary of 20 years of the euro and the French presidency of the European Union – the national sides of the €1 and €2 coins are getting a new look in 2022.

A RARE EVENT THAT INVOLVES ALL OF EUROPE

This exceptional event is only possible every fifteen years and must be validated by the European Commission. If a State is free to modify the design of the national face of its coins, the agreement of the other member countries of the euro zone must be collected. All countries in the euro zone have endorsed France’s decision. This validation was obtained on July 26th, 2021, after the President of the Republic validated the new design, which was first submitted to Bruno Le Maire, Minister of the Economy, Finance and Recovery.

This design was presented by Marc Schwartz, President and CEO of the Monnaie de Paris and Joaquin Jimenez, General Engraver of the Monnaie de Paris, who is the author. It will be used on the €1 and €2 coins that will be put into circulation starting in 2022.

Official presentation of the new 1 and 2€ coins at the Elysée Palace

A HIGHLY SYMBOLIC DESIGN FOR AN EXCEPTIONAL ANNIVERSARY

Design of the new national side of the €1 and €2 circulation coins

Die of the €1 and €2 coins new national side

This reinterpretation of the tree of life, already imagined by Joaquin Jimenez and which has adorned French coins since 2002, is called the Tree of Union. With a more modern look, this representation combines two species: the oak evokes strength and justice, the olive tree symbolizes peace. This tree radiates towards the stars of the European flag as an allegory of the values shared with other countries. The different facets of the leaves represent diversity, which constitutes national unity, while being crossed by the sap of values coming from the historical and constitutional roots symbolized by the acronym RF, and emerging at the top. The whole is placed in a multitude of hexagons which tend upwards, evoking the multiplicity of France and its ascension. This design is a synthesis of the values traditionally carried by France in the world and the issues of the present time – such as the protection of nature and the environment.

 New 1 euro coin

Yearmark: 2022

Material: cupronickel alloy

Diameter:  25,25 mm

Weight: 7,5g

No circulating version in 2022 (reserved for the collectors’ market)

New 2 euro coin

Yearmark: 2022

Material: Cupronickel alloy

diameter 25,75 mm

Weight: 8,75 g

Quantities of coins put into circulation at launch early 2022: 30 000 000 coins

First image of the new €2 coin

The €2 coins will enter into circulation on January 1, 2022, twenty years after the first physical introduction of the euro, while the €1 coins will be issued in numismatic quality. Officially adopted as a single currency in 1999, the euro replaced fourteen national currencies from 2002.

Today, the euro is the official currency of 19 countries with a population of 340 million. It is also the world’s second largest currency. Above all, it is the most tangible and concrete manifestation of European integration and a visible symbol of peace and unity.

Support for the common currency remains very high, with almost 80% of citizens in the euro zone in favour of the euro (source: Eurobarometer, 2021). The euro facilitates economic exchanges and our movements within the continent. It has created a zone of lasting monetary stability and has allowed us to benefit from structurally low interest rates.

The renewal of the national sides of the euro coins is also a message of confidence in the fiduciary money (coins and banknotes), the only form of money that is legal tender, i.e. that must be accepted by all.

Monnaie de Paris reminds us of the need to preserve access to money for all, in all its forms. The ability to choose between different payment methods, whether physical or digital, is a major factor of confidence in money and must be preserved.

For Marc Schwartz, President and CEO of the Monnaie de Paris, “This is a historic moment, twenty years after the launch of the first euros. Europe is changing and with it its currency.

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the euro and the French Presidency of the European Union, we are proud to present a design that illustrates both the values of the Republic and a renewal of the European ideal.

Coin set

This proof set features the new design present on the circulating €1 coins. The juxtaposition of the denominations allows us to observe the evolution of the national faces, designed nearly twenty years apart by Joaquin Jimenez, Engraver General of the Monnaie de Paris. The two €1 coins are produced exclusively for the BE and BU 2022 series.

Coincard

This quadriptych in Universal Brilliant quality includes the four €1 and €2 coins with 2021 and 2022 yearmarks for each face value.

This low mintage set highlights the new design of the €1 and €2 coins, officially put into circulation for the 20th anniversary of euro changeover. It contains the 8 French circulating coins dated 2022 and minted in BU condition. 500 copies of the new €1 and €2 coins will be struck, designed by Joaquin Jiménez, Engraver General of the Monnaie de Paris. The new €1 coin is produced exclusively for this series as well as for the 2022 proof and BU series.

Sources : Monnaie de Paris – NUMISMAG©