The Monnaie de Paris took home top honors in the Best Circulating Coin category of the Coin of the Year (COTY) Awards for 2024-dated coins. The coin honors Marie Curie (KM#3325) and is part of the mint’s “Exceptional Women” series.
The winning coin was designed by chief engraver Joaquin Jimenez. The obverse features a portrait of Marie Curie set within a French flag motif, symbolizing Curie’s iconic place in the French Republic. The portrait is encircled by the 12 stars of the European Union.
The reverse is the standard 50 EURO design — a map symbolizing the gathering of the nations of the European Union.
The design was initially rejected by the European Union after production had begun in 2023. More than 27 million coins had already been minted before the rejection.
The Marie Curie 50 EURO is comprised of Nordic gold. It measures 24.25 mm in diameter, has an indented edge, and weighs 7.8 grams. Mintage is limited to 15,000.
