Toulouse “Pont neuf” bridge through french tokens
- June 25, 2017
- by
- Pierre
Despite 19th century demolitions which damaged its vaults, the Toulouse “Pont-Neuf “ bridge makes today the connection between Pont-Neuf plaza and Republic street. Its construction would have begun in the middle of the 16th century but the true origins of its construction bring us back to the 17th century, under Louis XIII reign.
Four tokens relate the stages of the bridge building and depict the monarch like a builder king. On the reverse, they represent Louis XIII on a horse, capped...
“Zero euro” banknote creator Richard FAILLE strikes again!
- June 25, 2017
- by
- Pierre
Since 2015, Richard FAILLE, a french entrepreneur, developed a concept of tourist currency or “zero euro” banknote sold on tourist sites all over France. He was rapidely successfull. Now his product, often sold out after a few weeks, creates interest in many other european countries.
NUMISMAG: Mister FAILLE, the tourist currency collection seems to be well established since this year out of France. What are your expectations from here to the end of the year 2017 (new countries opening, types of...
NICOLAS SALAGNAC, french engraver of excellence
- June 20, 2017
- by
- Pierre
NUMISMAG interviewed one of the rare French engravers who falls under the tradition of the engravers such as CHAPLAIN, DROPSY, ROTY, etc. He is named Nicolas SALAGNAC. Former student of the BOULLE school (1985-1990), Nicolas SALAGNAC is engraver, best french worker in 2000 and since 2003 setled down as a free lance engraver in Lyon, town of the first french medal struck for Louis XII and Anne de Bretagne travel, about 500 years ago. He initially was workshop manager at...
The bullion coins, numismatic Eldorado for national Mints?
- June 09, 2017
- by
- Pierre
Bullion coins, according to its common definition, are struck to investors who wish to hoard strong value in a very small volume of precious metal. The measurement of reference in term of fine metal is in general the Troyes ounce (i.e. 31,8g in our system of weights and measures).
The Troyes ounce finds its origins in France. This measuring unit of precious metals, born in the town of Troyes, was of use in the Middle Ages during fairs or larger markets....
2018: Forecast end of 1 and 2 cents coins in Italy
- June 09, 2017
- by
- Pierre
An Italian parliamentary committee met last weekend and decided the stop, in 2018, of 1 and 2 cents coins minting for circulation in Italy. Many other european countries took the same decision over the years. They gave up the manufacturing for circulation of the two smaller face value euro coins. Finland was the first State to adopt a law on the 1 and 2 cents coins abandonment. It was followed by Ireland and Belgium. The Netherlands preferred the dialogue and...
Austria – €100 gold coin dedicated to alpin IBEX
- June 01, 2017
- by
- Pierre
A species of wild goat with impressive horns that can grow up to a metre in length, the Alpine ibex can be spotted on vertiginous rocky outcrops above the tree line in the Alps. It can also be spotted on the fifth coin in our Wildlife in our Sights series, which celebrates the diversity of Europe’s native wildlife and the sustainable management of the natural habitats in which it continues to thrive.
Life above the tree line
Almost hunted to...