2024 France €10 Silver Proof Excellence Series (Notre-Dame Shape)

• Contains .714 oz of fine silver.
• This magnificent shaped coin comes in a box with a certificate of authenticity from the Monnaie de Paris.
• Mintage of 5,000 coins.
• Obverse: Features the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris in its purest form. Rather than contenting itself with a rectangular shape that is faithful to the structure of the building, Monnaie de Paris wanted to pay tribute to the Gothic style of the cathedral by using the contours of pointed arch bay decorated with quatrefoils. Eugene Viollet-le-Duc's reconstructed spire forms the mullion of the bay and fits in perfectly with the dynamic of the design, revealing at the top of the new statue of the rooster created during the reconstruction work. The pointed arch shaped bay also evokes the cathedral's stained-glass windows, another distinctive feature of the Gothic architectural style. The face value of the coin is inscribed in the facade of the cathedral, as is the year commemorating the reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris to the public.
• Reverse: The reverse side takes us inside the cathedral. Here we see the completely renovated heart, revealing the new liturgical furnishings in the nave. Overlooking the vaulted ceiling, the Notre-Dame framework is inserted into the top of the mullion, revealing a complex interlocking of trusses, triangular wooden structures supporting the cathedral roof. The framework here is a faithful representation of the new framework of the Gothic cathedral, itself rebuilt identically and with the same craftsmanship as the building's original framework.
• Guaranteed by the Monnaie de Paris.

This Excellence Series Notre-Dame coin would be a great addition to any collection. Add this 2024 Silver €10 Proof coin to your cart today!

Notre-Dame, the Jewel of Gothic Art
Built in the 12th century at the instigation of Bishop Maurice de Sully, Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral has radiated over the Ile de la Cite in the heart of the French capital for almost seven centuries. A jewel of Gothic architecture, its imposing appearance, characterized by its graceful flying buttresses and flamboyant windows, bears witness to the ingenuity and expertise of its medieval builders. Notre-Dame has been a key witness to the development of the French capital and has been the setting for major events and celebrations over the last eight centuries, such as the coronation of Napoleon Bonaparte and the marriage of Marguerite de Valois to the future king Henri IV.

Damaged during the French Revolution and the July Revolution of 1830, the monument fell into disrepair and was restored in the 19th century during a major renovation project orchestrated by Viollet-le-Duc. Inspiring generations of artists, writers and thinkers, Notre-Dame today remains a place of religious and intellectual pilgrimage where visitors from all over the world come to marvel and reflect, giving the cathedral the title of most visited monument in France and Europe.

The Framework of Notre-Dame
The roof structure of Notre-Dame de Paris was completely destroyed by fire. Built for the most part in the 13th century (nave and choir), then partially rebuilt in the 19th century (spire and transept), it is a true masterpiece of the art of carpentry. Roughly 2000 oak trees were needed for the rebuilding.

The reconstruction was carried out using numerous archives, documents and scans, particularly those produced by Remi Fromont, chief architect of historic monuments, in 2014. The carpenters also used the same techniques as their predecessors. Nineteenth-century carpentry, for instance, is mechanically carved and assembled with bolts, while medieval carpentry is hand-carved and assembled with wooden dowels.

Monnaie de Paris
Founded in 1864, not only is Monnaie de Paris France's longest standing institution, but it is also the oldest enterprise in the world. Today, the mint strikes circulation coins for France, as well as beautiful gold and silver commemorative coin programs that are each intricately designed works of art. The mint is also home to a museum that hosts exhibitions, tours and workshops as well as the Guy Savoy Restaurant.