Part of the Monnaie de Paris "Masterpieces of Museums" series, this issue was released in cooperation with the Louvre to mark the 500th anniversary of Leonardo da Vinci's death in 1519. France has a particular claim to the painting beyond mere custody — François I is believed to have purchased it directly from Leonardo, making it French state property for five centuries.
The .999 fine specification places it a step above the more common .900 gold used in French bullion coinage of the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Part of the Monnaie de Paris "Masterpieces of Museums" series, this issue was released in cooperation with the Louvre to mark the 500th anniversary of Leonardo da Vinci's death in 1519. France has a particular claim to the painting beyond mere custody — François I is believed to have purchased it directly from Leonardo, making it French state property for five centuries.
The .999 fine specification places it a step above the more common .900 gold used in French bullion coinage of the 19th and early 20th centuries.