20 Euro (Jacques Chirac's death) – France
Non-circulating coins
Commemoration: 1st anniversary of Jacques Chirac's death (2019-2020).
France
Obverse
Description:
The reverse features the face value encircled by oak and laurel branches within three concentric hexagons.
Inscription:
RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE
20 EURO
20
20 EURO
20
Translation:
FRENCH REPUBLIC
20 EURO
20
20 EURO
20
Language: French
Engraver: Joaquin Jimenez
Reverse
Description:
The coin features Jacques Chirac alongside symbols of his career: the French Republic's emblem, representing his presidency, and the Quai Branly Museum's Chupicuaro statuette, reflecting his investment and passion for Primitive Arts.
Inscription:
JACQUES CHIRAC
RF
2020
1932
2019
RF
2020
1932
2019
Engraver: Joaquin Jimenez
Edge
Plain.
Categories
| Person> Politician |
| Symbols> Coat of Arms |
| Art> Sculpture |
| Event> Death anniversary |
| Symbol> Fasces |
Mints
| Name | Mark |
|---|---|
| Monnaie de Paris | — |
Mintings
| Year | Mint Mark | Mintage | Quality | Collection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | — | 10,000 | Proof |
Historical background
In 2020, France's currency situation was fundamentally defined by its membership in the Eurozone, using the euro (€) as its sole legal tender. The year was dominated by the profound economic shock of the COVID-19 pandemic, which triggered a severe recession. The French government responded with massive fiscal support, including furlough schemes and state-guaranteed loans, leading to a sharp increase in public debt, which exceeded 115% of GDP. However, monetary policy was not set nationally but by the European Central Bank (ECB), which launched an unprecedented €1.35 trillion Pandemic Emergency Purchase Programme (PEPP) to stabilize the euro area, ensuring favorable borrowing conditions for France and keeping the euro stable against major currencies.
Domestically, the pandemic accelerated existing trends in payment methods. The use of cash declined significantly due to hygiene concerns and increased online shopping, while contactless card payments saw a surge, with the transaction limit raised from €30 to €50 in May to facilitate safer purchases. This shift reinforced France's position as a leader in Europe for card-based transactions. Concurrently, the Banque de France continued its active role in the digital euro project launched by the ECB, positioning itself at the forefront of exploring a potential central bank digital currency (CBDC) for the retail market.
Overall, France's 2020 currency landscape was one of stability in the monetary unit itself, shielded by collective Eurozone action, but marked by dramatic changes in how money was used. The year highlighted the dual reality of French monetary policy: national fiscal sovereignty exercised through debt-financed emergency spending, coupled with a reliance on supranational ECB mechanisms to maintain monetary stability and liquidity. This framework left France navigating the crisis without the tool of devaluation, instead depending on European solidarity and the ECB's bond-buying firepower to manage the economic fallout.
Domestically, the pandemic accelerated existing trends in payment methods. The use of cash declined significantly due to hygiene concerns and increased online shopping, while contactless card payments saw a surge, with the transaction limit raised from €30 to €50 in May to facilitate safer purchases. This shift reinforced France's position as a leader in Europe for card-based transactions. Concurrently, the Banque de France continued its active role in the digital euro project launched by the ECB, positioning itself at the forefront of exploring a potential central bank digital currency (CBDC) for the retail market.
Overall, France's 2020 currency landscape was one of stability in the monetary unit itself, shielded by collective Eurozone action, but marked by dramatic changes in how money was used. The year highlighted the dual reality of French monetary policy: national fiscal sovereignty exercised through debt-financed emergency spending, coupled with a reliance on supranational ECB mechanisms to maintain monetary stability and liquidity. This framework left France navigating the crisis without the tool of devaluation, instead depending on European solidarity and the ECB's bond-buying firepower to manage the economic fallout.
💎 Very Rare