Logo Title
obverse
reverse
Mike Bentley CC BY-NC
Context
Years: 2009–2024
Issuer: Monaco Issuer flag
Ruler: Albert II
Currency:
(since 2002)
Total mintage: 14,079,270
Material
Diameter: 25.75 mm
Weight: 8.5 g
Thickness: 2.2 mm
Shape: Round
Composition: Bimetallic (Nickel brass center, Copper-nickel ring)
Technique: Milled
Alignment: Medal alignment
Obverse
OBVERSE ↑
flip
Reverse
REVERSE ↑
References
KM: #Click to copy to clipboard195
Numista: #15757
Value
Exchange value: 2 EUR = $2.36

Obverse

Description:
Albert II facing right, country above, date below.
Inscription:
MONACO 2012
Script: Latin

Reverse

Description:
A map shows Europe borderless beside its face value.
Inscription:
2 EURO

LL
Script: Latin
Engraver: Luc Luycx

Edge

Reeded with 2's
Legend:
2 ** 2 ** 2 ** 2 ** 2 ** 2 **

Categories

Map
Person> Monarch

Mints

NameMark
Monnaie de Paris

Mintings

YearMint MarkMintageQualityCollection
2009250,000
20098,000BU
201025,000Proof
20111,032,052
20117,000BU
20121,082,373
201310,000BU
2014772,000
20148,000BU
20151,306,782
2016864,645
20171,383,528
20178,000BU
2018934,771
20191,195,119
20201,000,000
20207,000BU
20211,035,000
20221,050,000
20231,000,000
20241,100,000

Historical background

In 2009, Monaco, like all members of the Eurozone, used the euro (€) as its sole official currency. This situation was the result of a formal monetary agreement signed with the European Community in 2002, which granted Monaco the unique right to use the euro and mint its own limited-edition Monegasque euro coins. These coins, featuring the image of Prince Albert II, were legal tender throughout the Eurozone but were primarily collected as numismatic items rather than used in everyday circulation. The principality's financial system was fully integrated with that of France and the broader Eurozone, with its central bank functions effectively delegated to the Banque de France.

The global financial crisis of 2008-2009 profoundly impacted Monaco's economy, which is heavily reliant on tourism, luxury goods, and banking. While the currency itself was stable as a shared European instrument, the economic downturn led to decreased revenue from key sectors, putting pressure on the state budget. The crisis highlighted both the advantages and constraints of sharing a currency; Monaco benefited from the euro's stability and lacked exchange rate risk with its main partners, but it also had no independent monetary policy (like interest rate control) to stimulate its economy, relying instead on fiscal policy and its close ties with France.

Therefore, the 2009 "currency situation" was one of institutional stability within a context of economic vulnerability. The euro's framework was firmly entrenched and uncontested within the principality, providing a solid monetary foundation. However, the macroeconomic shockwaves from the crisis tested the resilience of Monaco's euro-pegged economy, emphasizing its deep interdependence with European financial fortunes and the limitations of being a microstate within a large currency union during a period of severe recession.
🌱 Very Common