Prince Albert II and Princess Stéphanie have been presented with a specially minted €50 coin commemorating 100 years since the birth of their father Prince Rainier III, and currently worth €2,500.
Prince Albert on Thursday inaugurated a new coin exhibition titled ‘The Duchy-Pairie of Valentinois’, a former Grimaldi stronghold, which is currently on show at the Monaco Stamps and Coins Museum (Musée des Timbres et des Monnaies de Monaco).
During the occasion, he was presented with the €50 gold coin, commemorating the centenary of the birth of Prince Rainier III, alongside his sister Princess Stéphanie, president of the Prince Rainier III Commemoration Committee, and her son Louis Ducruet.
A museum designed to protect Monegasque history
As heir to his ancestors’ passion for philately, Prince Rainier III considered the stamp to be “the first ambassador of a country”. It is on this basis that he founded the Musée des Timbres et des Monnaies de Monaco within the Palace in 1950 using his own collection, with the aim of classifying, conserving and showcasing collections created by Prince Albert I and Priince Louis II.
In 1996, the Museum of Stamps and Coins was moved to its current location in Fontvielle.
Limited edition €50 Prince Rainier III coin
The gold coin bears the double effigy of Prince Rainier III, and is designed to “recall the longevity and importance of his reign”. It is particularly unique because it is the first time that a €50 coin has been minted by Monaco. Only 499 copies were produced and are available for sale at the Museum of Stamps and Coins at a price of €2,500.
Valentinois exhibition
The exhibition of prestigious coins and historical documents on Valentinois, the Grimaldi stronghold from 1642, is built from the former collection of numismatist Régis Chareyron, acquired by Prince Albert II.
Valentinoise coins range from the end of the 12th to the beginning of the 15th century. Added to this are the Monegasque coins bearing the title of Duke of Valentinois, from Prince Honoré II to Prince Antoine I and Prince Jacques I.
The public is able to view the exhibition from 2nd to 5th November, and guided tours are offered by Professor Jean‐Louis Charlet, curator of the exhibition, on November 3rd, 4th and 5th at 10am, 11am, 3pm and 4pm.
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Photo: HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, Honorary President of the Commemoration Committee of Prince Rainier III, with HSH Princess Stéphanie, President of the Commemoration Committee of Prince Rainier III; Lara Terlizzi-Enza, Director of the Office of Postage Stamp Issues, and Louis Ducruet, member of the Prince Rainier III Commemoration Committee. Credit: Frédéric Nebinger, Government Communication Department