France: New Gold And Silver Coins In Popular Series Art Of The Pen Features The Classic Tale Three Musketeers

The popular series focuses on some of the world’s best known and loved authors and whose work has had significant impact on the literary life of their respective countries and or languages.  Launched in 2021, the first coins celebrated poetry and in 2022, the subject was playwrights and theatre. For 2024, the series focuses on literature and honours France’s famous adventure author Alexandre Dumas. This year marks the 180th anniversary of the publication of The Three Musketeers. Among the most influential authors of his time, Alexandre Dumas left his mark on the world of literary fiction with his captivating works of history, adventure and action. Born in 1802 in Villiers-Cotterêts in the Aisne region of France, Dumas drew inspiration from the musketeers of the 17th century to write his original cloak-and-dagger serial novel, which would become an international best-seller. The Three Musketeers gave pride of place to historical events with Dumas' heroes, D'Artagnan, the Count of Monte Cristo and the Chevalier de Maison-Rouge, joining the ranks of legendary characters. The sense of liberty Dumas takes with history, his sense of action and the twists and turns, made him a master of the Swashbuckler genre.

The Three Musketeers follows the adventures of D'Artagnan, an ambitious young Gascon who travels to Paris in the year 1645 to become a musketeer for King Louis XIII. He befriends Athos, Porthos and Aramis, three seasoned musketeers, and together they find themselves embroiled in political intrigue, exciting duels and dangerous plots. The story is full of adventure, loyalty and honour with a dose of romance and humour making 'The Three Musketeers' an immortal classic of French literature. Two sequels followed entitled Vingt Ans Après published in 1845 and Le Vicomte de Bragelonne published between 1847 and 1850. Dumas’ works have been translated into many languages, and he is still one of the most widely read French authors.

€10 - 20 Silver - €50 Gold. The obverse of these collector coins depicts Alexandre Dumas facing his iconic characters: the Four Musketeers. They seem to have turned against him, pointing their swords at the author's nose. The famous phrase from the novel is inscribed in stylised cursive script on Dumas's left shoulder UN POUR TOUS ET TOUS POUR UN (One for all and all for one). His name ALEXANDRE DUMAS is shown above his likeness in stylised script and dates of birth and death 1802 and 1870 are inscribed below of the primary design along the rim separated with the cross of the three musketeers. The year 2024 is on his right collar.

€100 silver. The obverse features Dumas's four Musketeers, uniting their swords in the centre of the coin. They are surrounded by fleur-de-lys as well as all of their first names ARAMIS, D’ARTAGNAN, PORTHOS and ATHOS. The numeral 1 placed below right includes the words POUR TOUS, in reference to the iconic phrase from the novels One for all and all for One. The year of issue 2024 and insignia of the coin’s designer Joaquin Jimenez as well as the mintmark are shown to the right of the primary design along the rim.

The design on the reverse side which is common to the series features several emblematic quotes from prominent writers in their own native language. Such as Le mieux est l’ennemi du bien (The best is the enemy of the good) by Voltaire, Lasciate ogne speranza voi ch'intrate (Leave all hope you who enter) by Dante Alighieri, To be or not to be, that is the question by William Shakespeare, and Was mich nicht umbringt, macht mich stärker (What does not kill me, makes me stronger) by Nietzsche. A quill pen is depicted in the centre with the denomination and title of the series L'Art de la Plume is shown just to the right. The initials RF are seen below the denomination which represents the issuing country REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE. The insignia of the coin’s designer Joaquin Jimenez and mintmark are also included on either side of the initials.

The €10 and €20 silver and €50 gold coins are struck to proof quality and available as separate items. The BU €100 silver coin is available for its face value. For additional information on these and other coins available from the Monnaie de Paris, please visit their e-webshop.