France

2014

Commemorative coin

The fight against AIDS by way of World AIDS Day

Official Journal of the European Union

The red ribbon, symbolising the fight against AIDS, is featured in the coin’s central field. The ribbon was created by the Visual AIDS Artists Caucus and the US painter Frank Moore. It should be worn close to the heart to symbolise solidarity with AIDS sufferers and is in the shape of an upside-down V. The idea is for it to be worn as a V one day to signify victory over the disease. There are three ribbons in the central field. One is in the conventional position and will be coloured red for the brilliant uncirculated (BU) and proof (PRF) versions. The other two ribbons are inverted and associated with two Vs to strengthen the symbolism of the much-hoped-for victory over the disease. The date 1 December, Unesco World AIDS Day, appears at the top of the central field. The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

Additional information

World AIDS Day is celebrated on 1 December. The red ribbon in the shape of the upside-down letter "V", known as a symbol for the fight against AIDS, was created by the artists' group Visual Aids Artists Caucus and the American painter Frank Moore. It is to be worn next to the heart and symbolizes solidarity with all people suffering from AIDS. On the day when the disease is conquered, the ribbon is to be turned upside down so that the "V" for "victory" appears. In the normal embossings it is represented - following the heraldic rules of tingierung - by vertical hatching with the tincture red. With 10,000 copies each of the glossy and the mirror finish embossing, the bow is embossed with a flat surface and coloured red. Qua issue by France, the coloured variants became legal tender. However, the EU legal technical specifications do not provide for the use of a colour imprint. Coloured circulation coins should not actually exist; however, they are tolerated by the EU, especially since they are only produced in small quantities and are packed separately and are therefore not used as legal tender.

Edge lettering

Designer