Monaco Euro Coins

The Principality of Monaco is a small state whose territory is entirely included within that of France. However, it should be noted that this small state has been completely independent since 1297.

Despite being independent, the Principality of Monaco has always used the same currency as France due to monetary agreements made with the latter. It was only in 1837 that it began to produce its own currency called the Monegasque Franc.

The exchange rate between Monaco's currency and the French currency has always been at par, and both currencies have always circulated freely in both countries.

When France joined the European Union, due to these agreements, the Principality of Monaco, which is not part of the EU, was also granted the right to use the Euro and mint its own coins.

It is important to specify that the Euro coins of Monaco are extremely rare and therefore particularly sought after by collectors.

All Monegasque Euro coins are minted by the French Mint in Pessac.

But let's take a closer look at all the coins and the characteristics that distinguish them.

The very first coin we will analyze is naturally the 1 Euro Cent Monaco. It is important to emphasize that there are two versions of this same coin. The first dates from the period between 2001 and 2005, while the second concerns the years from 2006 onwards. For both, the designer is Robert Cochet.

The First series features on the Obverse the coat of arms of the Principality of Monaco placed at the center. Surrounding it are the 12 five-pointed stars representing the European States, with the word Monaco at the top.

At the bottom, there is the mint year and the mint mark.

The Second series is very similar and also features the symbol of the Principality of Monaco on the Obverse, while at the bottom the mint year is surrounded on the right and left by the mint mark and the Director of the Mint's symbol. At the top, the word Monaco appears.

All of this is surrounded by 12 five-pointed stars symbolizing the European States.

As for the Reverse, all coins are identical to those of other European countries.

Now, let’s take a look at the technical specifications.

We now move on to the next coin, namely the 2 Euro Cents Monaco. In this case, we are also talking about two different versions that span from 2001 to 2005 for the first under Prince Rainier III and the second from 2006 onwards under Prince Albert II. The designer is always Robert Cochet.

Regarding the First series of the coin, the Obverse features the representation of the coat of arms of the Principality of Monaco. This is surrounded by 12 five-pointed stars and the inscription MONACO at the top.

At the bottom, there is the year of minting surrounded by the Mint symbol and that of the Mint Director.

As for the Second series of the coin, the Obverse still displays the coat of arms of the Principality of Monaco with the inscription MONACO at the top. At the bottom, the year of minting is present, surrounded by the Mint symbol and that of the Mint Director. Everything is bordered, after a dividing line, by 12 five-pointed stars representing the States of the European Union.

On the Reverse, we see the same face as the other European States.

But let's take a look at the technical specifications together.

We arrive at the 5 Euro Cents Monaco coin. Once again, we are talking about two versions produced under two different Princes. Specifically, the first under Prince Rainier III and the second under Prince Albert II.

The designer is still Robert Cochet.

The First series of the coin (2001-2005) features on the Obverse the coat of arms of the Principality of Monaco placed at the center. Surrounding the coat of arms are 12 five-pointed stars, and at the top is the inscription MONACO.

At the bottom, you can find the year of minting, the mint mark, and that of the Mint Director.

As for the Second series of the coin (from 2006 onwards), we can find some small differences. On the Obverse, the symbol of the Principality of Monaco is still present, with the inscription Monaco at the top and the year of minting, mint mark, and symbol of the Director at the bottom.

All of this is surrounded by a thin line and a circle of 12 stars representing the member states of the European Union.

Regarding the Reverse, both coins feature the same face as any other European coin.

But let's take a look at the technical specifications together.

Now let's take a look at the 10 Euro Cents Monaco coin. In this case, there are multiple separate versions, although the differences this time are quite clear and marked. The authors are for the first Nicolas Cozon and Roger Bernard Baron, while for the second and third, only Cozon.

On the Obverse, the First series of the coin (2001 – 2005) features at the center a knight seal of the Grimaldi family. Surrounding it are the 12 five-pointed stars representing European states, with the word Monaco at the top.

At the bottom, there is the year of minting accompanied by the Mint symbol and the symbol of the Mint Director.

The Second and Third series of the coin depict on the Obverse, at the center, the monogram of Prince Albert II, who succeeded his father, Prince Rainier III, after his death in 2005.

At the top is the word MONACO, while at the bottom is the year of minting surrounded by the Mint symbols and the symbol of the Mint Director.

On the Reverse, all series of coins are identical to other 10 Euro Cents European coins. The First and Second series indeed have the map of European countries separated from each other, while the Third series uses the new version that came into effect in 2007 with the united Euro Zone and no longer with the countries separated.

Let's immediately look at the technical specifications.

Here we are with the 20 Cents of Monaco. This coin also comes in three versions. The first one is from 2001 to 2005 in honor of Prince Rainier III, the second from 2006 for Prince Albert II, and the third in 2009 also for Prince Albert II.

As with the previous coin, the authors are for the first Nicolas Cozon and Roger Bernard Baron, while for the second and third, it is only Cozon.

Regarding the First series of the coin, it features at the center, on the Obverse, the depiction of a knight symbolizing the Grimaldi family. Surrounding it are the 12 five-pointed stars above which is the inscription MONACO.

At the bottom, there is the year of minting with the Mint symbol and that of the Mint Director.

The Second series of the coin instead presents, also on the Obverse, the monogram of Prince Albert II. At the top, there is the inscription MONACO while at the bottom are the year of minting and the Mint symbol along with that of the Mint Director.

All around are the 12 five-pointed stars representing the European states.

For the Reverse, we find the same face as the other 20 Cents coins. For the First and Second series, the map of the Eurozone countries is used, all separated from each other. Instead, for the Third series, issued in 2009, the new version of the map depicting the united Eurozone is used, no longer showing all countries separated.

Let's immediately look at the technical characteristics.

The next coin to analyze is the 50 Cents Euro of Monaco. Specifically, there are two versions of this coin as well. The first dates from 2001 to 2005, the second from 2006, while the third is from 2009 with a modified reverse.

The authors are Nicolas Cozon and Roger Bernard Baron for the first, and only Nicolas Cozon for the second and third versions.

The First version of the coin on the Obverse features a knight, the seal of the Grimaldi family, in the center. Surrounding it are the 12 five-pointed stars with the word MONACO at the top.

At the bottom, the year of minting is placed in the center, flanked by the Mint symbol and that of the Mint Director.

As for the Second series of 2006 and the Third of 2009, the monogram of Prince Albert II, who succeeded his father Prince Rainier III after his death on April 6, 2005, is featured on the Obverse.

At the top, there is the word MONACO, while at the bottom is the year of minting with the Mint symbol and that of the Mint Director on either side.

On the Reverse, there are two versions regarding the Common Side. In fact, the First and Second series have a map of the Eurozone countries separated. For the Third series of 2009, however, the new version of the Common Side was used, which represented the entire Eurozone united and with the countries no longer separated from each other.

Let's discover the technical features together.

This brings us to the 1 Euro Monaco coin, the penultimate in this collection. In this case, we are also talking about three versions produced between 2001 and 2005 for the first, in 2006 for the second, and in 2009 for the third.

The authors are Nicolas Cozon and Henri Thiebaud for the first, while Sabrina Luoni is responsible for the second and third.

The First series of the coin features on the Obverse a representation of Prince Rainier III and his son, Prince Albert II, side by side. Surrounding them are the 12 five-pointed stars representing the European states.

At the top, there is the inscription MONACO, while at the bottom is the year of minting surrounded by the Mint's symbol and that of the Mint Director.

As for the Second and Third series of the coin, only the face of Prince Albert II facing right is present. At the top, the inscription MONACO is again featured, while at the bottom is the year of minting and the Mint's symbol along with that of the Mint Director.

All of this is naturally surrounded by the 12 five-pointed stars.

It is worth mentioning that there is also a variant of this coin without the Mint symbols dating back to 2007. In total, there are about 3000 pieces.

Regarding the Reverse, it is identical to that of the other 1 Euro coins. The First and Second series use the same Common Side, which features a map of the Eurozone countries with marked borders. However, for the Third series, issued in 2009, the new version of the map is used, depicting the united Eurozone with countries having no graphic borders.

Now, let's take a look at the characteristics of this coin.

The last coin in this collection is the 2 Euro Monaco. If you are looking for €2 coins from Monaco but can't find them here, check the page: 2 Euro Commemorative Monaco. In the case of this €2 circulating coin, we are once again talking about a triple version. Specifically, the first dates back to the years 2001 – 2005, the second from 2006, and the third from 2009.

The authors in this case are Nicolaz Cozon and Pierre Javaudin for the first and Sabrina Luoni for the second.

The First series of the coin represents on the Obverse the bust of Prince Rainier III placed in the center. At the top, the word Monaco is present while at the bottom is the year of minting followed by the Mint symbol and that of the Mint Director.

Surrounding it are the 12 five-pointed stars symbolizing the European States.

As for the Second series and the Third series of the coin, there is the bust of Prince Albert II. Again, at the top, the word MONACO is present while at the bottom is the Mint symbol, year of minting, and symbol of the Mint Director.

Encircling everything are the 12 five-pointed stars symbolizing the European States.

The Reverse is the same for all €1 coins from all countries that use the Euro. In this case, the First and Second version reproduce the Common Side with the map of the countries with well-defined borders. For the Third series, however, the new version is used, depicting the Eurozone all united and without any graphic borders between the different countries.

Now let's look at the technical specifications.