France, Europa, Euro = Interesting Coins The name of Europe as a geographical term was coined by Ancient Greek geographers such as Strabo. It's derived from the Greek word Eurōpē (Ευρώπη) in all Romance languages, Germanic languages, Slavic languages, Baltic Languages, Celtic languages, Fino-Ugric languages (Hugarian Europa, Finnish Eurooppa, Estonian Euroopa), as well as in Latin. To some Europa is a Goddess like Columbia, Marianne and Liberty. But that perception was to change. Before 1537cartographers' maps of Europe included Europe, Asia and Africa. Two exceptions to this tradition occurred in the 12th and 14th Centuries. Lanbert of Saint-Omers published a Europe-only map in 1112 and the Byzantiums developed an Europe-only map sometime in the 1300s. Johannes Putsch, inspired by those Europe-only maps, and enamored by the idea of Europa as a queen instead of a goddess because of his close ties to the House of Habsburg's Holy Roman Emporer (Ferdinand I) coined the phrase "Europa Regina" to place a title to his woman-shaped cartograph of Europe. This concept was further enhanced by Sebastian Munster's Europa Regina by including a Europe-only map overprinted with his rendition of Queen Europa in various editions of "Cosmographica" beginning in 1570 and all editions subsequent to 1588. Here's a photo of that Map: Before you view the map, know that Europa regina is a young, graceful woman. Her crown, placed on the Iberian peninsula (Spain), is shaped after the Carolingian hoop crown (tiara). France and the Holy Roman Empire make up the upper part of her body, with Bohemia being the heart. Her long gown stretches to Russia and Greece. In her arms, formed by Italy and Daenmark, she holds a septre and an orb (Sicily). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Europe_As_A_Queen_Sebastian_Munster_1570.jpg That's about all I'm going to cover on the name Europe. France's Patron Allegorical Goddess, Marianne, is usually, on coinage, depicted as The Seed Sower or as a bust of Liberty facing left: Bust: http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/coine.php?image=img7/69-930&desc=France%20km930%2020%20Centimes%20(1962-2001)&query=France%20km%20930 The Seed Sower: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...km925.1 1 Franc (1960+)&query=France km 925.1 Two more facts about Europa: 1.) The European Monetary Union adopted Europa as its property rights and maintains an official website named Europa at: http://europa.eu/ France entered the European Monetary Union in 2000 producing circulation and proof coinage dated 2001 in the denominations of Euro Cent, 2 Euro Cents, 5 Euro Cents, 10 Euro Cents, 20 Euro Cents, 50 Euro Cents, 1 Euro and 2 Euro dated 2001. Look at these eight photos courtesy of Don's World Coin Gallery (worldcoingallery.com) and make mental note of the reverses so you can recognize them later on in this article: 2001 16.3mm Copper Plated Steel Euro Cent (300,681,580): http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...1282 1 Euro Cent (1999+)&query=France km 1282 2001 18.7 Copper Plated Steel 2 Euro Cents (249,101,580): http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...283 2 Euro Cents (1999+)&query=France km 1283 2001 21.2mm Copper Plated Steel 5 Euro Cents (217,324,477): http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...284 5 Euro Cents (1999+)&query=France km 1284 2001 19.7mm Brass 10 Euro Cents (144,513,261): http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...0 Euro Cents (1999-2006)&query=France km 1285 2001 22.2mm Brass 20 Euro Cents (256,342,108): http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...0 Euro Cents (1999-2006)&query=France km 1286 2001 24.2mm Brass 50 Euro Cents (276,287,274): http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...0 Euro Cents (1999-2006)&query=France km 1287 2001 23.3mm Bi-mnetallic 1 Euro (150,251,624) http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...m1288 1 Euro (1999-2006)&query=France km 1288 2001 25.6mm Bi-metallic 2 Euros (237,950,793): http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...m1289 2 Euro (1999-2006)&query=France km 1289 2002 saw France producing its first commemorative NCLT coinage. There are several varieties, but there are three numismatically important, to me, varieties you should know about. One of the varieties is the Europa "Expansion of the Euro" series. There are four 2001- 2002 denominations (all proofs) which feature the same eight French Euro designs on their obverses. 1.) The 2001 30mm silver (0.3762 oz. ASW) 1/4 Euro 2.) The 2001 22mm gold (0.2714 oz. AGW) 10 Euro 3.) The 2002 37mm silver (0.6424 oz. ASW) 1 1/2 Euro 3.) The 2002 37mm gold (0.9957 oz. AGW) 50 Euro 4.) The 2002 50mm gold (4.995 oz. AGW) 100 Euro Here's a photo of the 2002 1 1/2 Euro courtesy of worldcoingallery.com so you can see the obverse and reverse Europa series designs: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...uro (2002) Europa Series&query=France km 1301 The second important, to me, French Euro coins are: the 15mm 2003 gold (0.1 oz. AGW) 1/4 Euro. the 22mm 2003 gold (0.2499 oz. AGW) 10 Euro The coins' obverses and reverses features France's first one Franc coin. Here's a photo of the 2003 1/4 Euro courtesy of Coin Archives: http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotvi...Lot=3738&Val=430d42f52f264634316278d58562d949 Here's a photo of the first Franc: France's First Franc Coin (1803): (coinarchives.com photo) http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotvi...Lot=7668&Val=f28c74185ceb491745d68c2836a9cb3f Our first entry into this article's theme was of the Europa series featuring eight French Euro coins on the obverses. Let's delve into the third variety; Europa series featuring only three coins: 37mm 2003 silver (0.6424 oz. ASW) 1.5 Euro: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...uro (2003) Europa Series&query=France km 1338 Also issued in denominations of: 22mm Gold (0.2499 oz. AGW) 10 Euro, 31mm Gold (0.5028 oz. AGW) 20 Euro, 100mm Silver (30.45432 oz ASW) 50 Euro. Hope you enjoyed... Clinker
Marianne isn't always shown facing left. I have a half dozen medals in my collection in which she is facing right, and I have seen dozens of other similar examples. I wonder if the "facing left" thing applies only to coins? Thanks for the latest Trivia. Chris
A very interesting post for me, thank you! But, hehe, when you write about the euro, expect to get some "add-ons" from me. According to legends, Europa was the daughter of a king. The ancient Greek god Zeus abducted her, in the shape of a bull. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europa_(mythology)#Abduction That is also why on many modern European coins you will see that scene, Europa on the bull. http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/images/image8574.gif (This is the €2 circulation coin from Greece.) http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/img1/50-66.jpg (A pre-euro coin from Cyprus, basically the same scene.) http://www.fnmt.es/content/imagenes/mmcc/07/v_aniv_euro/alta/cincuentin.jpg (Here they are on a €50 collector coin from Spain.) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euro_gold_and_silver_commemorative_coins_(Belgium)#2004_coinage (And here we see the two on a Belgian €10 collector coin.) http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/images/image8485.gif (This is a €2 commemorative coin from Italy.) By the way, the europa.eu website is not only that of the Monetary Union but of the entire European Union. The spelling with the "a" at the end was primarily picked because that is the Latin variety, thus "neutral". Christian
To chrisild... Thanks again for your input, words and links. There are myriads of mythical stories and there's evidence many women, including Phoenician, were named Europa. Some mythology scholars believe a temple some attribute to Athena was really dedicated to their Goddess Europa. Clinker
Thanks randygeki and tmoneyeagles for voicing your comments. tmoneyeagles a double Thank you thank you for sharing those photos... Clinker
All of Clinker's postings are most informative, yet he has outdone himself with this one. Not only is Clinker's work outstanding, the perspective added by Chrisild is greatly appreciated. Both of you are amazing dudes. The history lesson, the 1570 Munster map and the mythology involved have provided us with a most worthwhile read. Also, the comments provided by others have added a greater degree of richness. Good on all of you! Have a special appreciation for the French Sowers also. They are special because the coin designer was inspired by the parable found in Matthew 3:13. He combined the lesson of that parable, along with the concept of liberty and cleverly produced one outstanding design. Will be revisiting the Sebastian Munster 1570 map many more times. Seeing that type of historical representation makes my blood flow faster. I love studying old maps. A profound thanks, to all contributors, for such an enjoyable read. Again, good on all of you!!!
Surprise Honolulu! Here's another Map to look at courtesy of Wikimedia Commmons (a different perspective... Clinker
