France

2008

Commemorative coin

French Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2008

Official Journal of the European Union

The inner part of the coin features the following inscription: ‘2008 PRÉSIDENCE FRANÇAISE UNION EUROPÉENNE RF’. The currency mark and the mintmaster's mark are located below, to the left and the right respectively. The coin's outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

Additional information

Following the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership launched in Barcelona in 1995, the "Union for the Mediterranean" was created during the French Presidency in 2008. On behalf of the European Commission, the Monnaie de Paris has produced and distributed to EU staff 5000 copies in numbered blister packs, coloured throughout in yellow on the design side - the first coloured euro circulation coins. A Commission Recommendation adopted in 2010 states: "Member States should not support but tolerate damage to euro coins for artistic purposes. Such damaged coins should be considered unfit for circulation".

Edge lettering

Designer