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ECU Europa - Accession of Greece
| Issuer | Monnaie de Paris |
|---|---|
| Year | 1981 |
| Type | Fantasy coin |
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| Obverse description | Allegorical effigy of Europa, personification of the European continent, rendered in classical style within the field. The figure serves as the emblematic device of the European Parliament. The engraver's signature P.RODIER appears in the field, accompanied by the legend EUROPA and the fineness and weight inscription AU. 920‰ 50G. Hallmarks of the Monnaie de Paris and the Laleta editions are present as mint punches. The design is executed in high relief with refined artistic detail. |
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| Edge | Reeded |
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| Additional information |
Greece joined the European Community on January 1, 1981, becoming its tenth member after years of delayed negotiations complicated by the instability of the post-junta transition government. This piece was struck by the Monnaie de Paris as part of a series commemorating EC accessions — France being an early and aggressive promoter of ECU-denominated gold issues as a vehicle for asserting European monetary identity ahead of any formal single currency.
The .920 fineness is characteristic of French commemorative gold of this period, matching the traditional standard used for Napoleon-era coinage rather than the .999 fine now common in bullion issues.