Albert II formally acceded to the Monegasque throne in July 2005 following the death of Rainier III, making 2006 the first full calendar year of his reign and consequently the first year his effigy appeared across Monaco's complete euro cent series. Monaco's euro coinage is produced under agreement with the French Mint at Pessac, with annual mintages kept deliberately low — the principality issues coins primarily for collectors rather than general circulation, which explains why even base-denomination pieces from this period trade well above face value.
Albert II formally acceded to the Monegasque throne in July 2005 following the death of Rainier III, making 2006 the first full calendar year of his reign and consequently the first year his effigy appeared across Monaco's complete euro cent series. Monaco's euro coinage is produced under agreement with the French Mint at Pessac, with annual mintages kept deliberately low — the principality issues coins primarily for collectors rather than general circulation, which explains why even base-denomination pieces from this period trade well above face value.