The Monnaie de Paris has issued gold and silver coins to honor composer Jean-Philippe Rameau. He was the official composer of the Versailles Court from 1745 and is considered one of the most important French composers and music theorists of the Baroque era.
This release is part of the Europa Coin Programme, which is a coordination between European Union member countries to issue coins celebrating common aspects of European identity. Each country may issue coins for the annually selected theme, which must be at least .900 fine silver, crown size, and carry the “Europa Star” privy mark. The theme for this year’s coins is European composers.
The obverse design of the Jean-Philippe Rameau Coin features a feminine costume of the 1740’s inspired by Rameau’s opera-ballet Les Indes Galantes. The figure appears before a background scene of the Royal Opera of Versailles.
The reverse contains a three-quarters view portrait of Jean-Philippe Rameau in typical court wig, a symbol of status at the Royal Court. The background contains a stylized pattern of violins and the name of the composer in decorative script. The Europa Star symbol appears at the base. Both obverse and reverse of the coin were designed by Christian Lacroix.
The 10 € face value silver proof coins are stuck in .900 purity with a weight of 22.20 grams and diameter of 37 mm. The maximum mintage is 5,000 pieces.
Also available are 50 € face value proof 1/4 oz gold coins, which share the same design. These coins have a diameter of 22 mm and are limited to a mintage of 1,000 pieces.
fmtransmitter says
She looks like a Tim Burton character…Blah IMHO…
Koichi Ito says
I would like to see new gold and silver angel coins instead???
Koichi Ito says
Recently U.S. Post Office sent back my order of 200 euro King Louis 14th 1 ounce gold coin back the Monniae de Paris. So they should resend my order back to my address or get full refund?