50 Euros Monna Lisa

Part of the Monnaie de Paris "Masterpieces of Museums" series, this issue coincides with the Louvre's celebration of the 500th anniversary of Leonardo da Vinci's death in 1519. France holds a particular claim to the painting itself — Francis I acquired it after Leonardo spent his final years at the Château du Clos Lucé in Amboise under royal patronage, making French custody of the work a matter of centuries-old royal prerogative rather than mere accident.