The design of Monaco's struck 2-euro commemorative coin for 2026 has been unveiled. The coin's theme is "Duchy of Valentinois." The obverse depicts the bell tower of the Collegiate Church of Sainte-Croix in Montélimar, the principal town of the duchy, where Honoré II was ceremonially received in 1646. To the right, a crossed orb taken from the coat of arms of Montélimar. The issuing state "MONACO" on a lozenge shield appears at the upper right, the year "2026" at the upper left, along with the mint marks of the Monnaie de Paris and chief engraver Joaquin Jimenez. The commemorative inscription "DUCHÉ DE VALENTINOIS" runs along the lower rim. The twelve stars of the European flag are on the outer ring. The coin is also issued on 16 June with a mintage of 15,000 in a proof case.
The Duchy of Valentinois, a prestigious fief, was granted by King Louis XIII to Prince Honoré II in 1642, pursuant to the Franco-Monegasque Treaty of Alliance of Péronne of 14 September 1641. Originally attributed to the prince himself, the title was regularly carried by the heir apparent alongside that of the Marquisate of Baux well into the 20th century. Last year, the Principality of Monaco had already issued 2-euro commemorative coins for two other territories associated with the princely family – the Marquisate of Baux and the County of Carladès – depicting their most important historic sites on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of this heritage and tourism network.
Source / Image: Musée des Timbres et des Monnaies de Monaco MTM
Image source: Musée des Timbres et des Monnaies de Monaco MTM via Instagram