20 Euros 20th Anniversary of the Euro

France adopted the euro on January 1, 2002, when euro banknotes and coins entered circulation simultaneously across twelve member states in what remains the largest currency changeover in history — an estimated 7.4 billion coins introduced in a matter of days. The franc, which had survived in some form since the Carolingian monetary reforms of the 8th century, ceased to be legal tender just two months later.

This commemorative marks twenty years from that transition, issued by the Monnaie de Paris under its standard collector program. The .900 silver alloy is the same fineness used for French commemorative silver throughout the modern series.