Joan Martí i Alanis served as Bishop of Urgell — and therefore co-Prince of Andorra — from 1971 until his death in 2003, making him one of the longest-serving holders of that feudal office. Andorra's coinage authority during the 1990s leaned heavily on the Europa theme as the country negotiated its unusual relationship with the European Union, having signed a customs union agreement with the EC in 1990 despite never being a member state.
The 1990 agreement exempted Andorra from VAT harmonization, a carve-out that preserved its status as a low-tax enclave — the political backdrop behind much of this commemorative silver output.
Joan Martí i Alanis served as Bishop of Urgell — and therefore co-Prince of Andorra — from 1971 until his death in 2003, making him one of the longest-serving holders of that feudal office. Andorra's coinage authority during the 1990s leaned heavily on the Europa theme as the country negotiated its unusual relationship with the European Union, having signed a customs union agreement with the EC in 1990 despite never being a member state.
The 1990 agreement exempted Andorra from VAT harmonization, a carve-out that preserved its status as a low-tax enclave — the political backdrop behind much of this commemorative silver output.