200 Euro (Marquis de La Fayette's arrival in Boston) – France
Non-circulating coins
Commemoration: U.S. Independence: 240th anniversary of the Marquis de La Fayette's arrival in Boston (1780-2020).
France
Context
Material
Diameter: 37 mm
Weight: 31.1 g
Gold weight: 31.07 g
Shape: Octagonal
Composition: 99.9% Gold
Standard: Silver ounce
Magnetic: No
Technique: Milled
Alignment: Medal alignment
flip
References
Numista: #342294
Value
Exchange value: 200 EUR = $235.68
Bullion value: $5159.85
Inflation-adjusted value: 236.26 EUR
Obverse
Description:
Portrait of the Marquis de La Fayette in profile, styled like a royal or imperial coin.
Inscription:
M.is DE LA FAYETTE M.AL DE CAMP COM.DANT G.AL DE LA G.DE NA.LE PAR.NE
200 EURO
RF
DUMAREST.F
200 EURO
RF
DUMAREST.F
Translation:
Monsieur de La Fayette Major de Camp Commandant Général de la Garde Nationale Parisienne
200 EURO
RF
Dumarest F
200 EURO
RF
Dumarest F
Script: Latin
Language: French
Reverse
Description:
A coat of arms flanked by French and American flags, centered on the frigate Hermione with fleurs-de-lis above.
Inscription:
COMP.E DES GRENADIERS VOLONTAIRES DU III.e BATA.ON VI.e DIV.ON
VIVRE LIBRE OU MOURIR
2020
VIVRE LIBRE OU MOURIR
2020
Translation:
COMPANY OF THE VOLUNTEER GRENADIERS OF THE 3RD BATTALION, 6TH DIVISION
LIVE FREE OR DIE
2020
LIVE FREE OR DIE
2020
Script: Latin
Language: French
Edge
Plain
Categories
| Event> Independence |
| Symbol> Flag |
| Transportation> Watercraft |
| Symbols> Coat of Arms |
| Symbol> Fleur-de-lis |
| History> War |
Mints
| Name | Mark |
|---|---|
| Monnaie de Paris | — |
Mintings
| Year | Mint Mark | Mintage | Quality | Collection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | — | 250 | 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.
✨ Legendary