Monegasque franc
Encyclopedia
The franc was the official currency of the Principality of Monaco until 2002 (de facto, 1999 de jure), when it changed to the euro
. The franc was subdivided into 100 centimes or 10 decimes. The Monégasque franc circulated alongside the French franc
with the same value. Like the French franc, the Monégasque franc was revalued in 1960 at a rate of 100 old francs = 1 new franc. The official euro-to-franc exchange rate
was MCF 6.55957 to EUR 1.
Today, Monégasque coins have only numismatic value, including the fleurs de coins, or proof-like coins. The period for exchange of the coins for euros has expired.
The Monegasque franc was legal tender
in Monaco, France and Andorra.
and brass
and were the same size as the earlier French coins (France was not minting these denominations at the time) whilst the 5 francs matched the French coin. No further issues were made until 1882, from when gold 100 francs coins were issued until 1904.
Between 1924 and 1926, aluminium-
bronze
50 centimes, 1 and 2 francs were issued of the same size as the French coins. In 1943, aluminium 1 and 2 francs were introduced followed by aluminium-bronze versions in 1945, alongside aluminium 5 francs. In 1946, cupronickel
10 francs were introduced, followed by 20 francs in 1947, a coin to which there was no corresponding French coin. In 1950, aluminium-bronze 10, 20 and 50 francs and cupro-nickel
100 francs were issued, with the size of the 100 francs reduced to match the French coin in 1956.
When the franc was revalued in 1960, Monaco issued nickel 1 franc and silver 5 francs. In 1962, aluminium-bronze 10, 20 and 50 centimes coins were added, followed by nickel ½ franc coins in 1965, nickel-clad cupronickel 5 francs in 1971, nickel-brass 10 francs in 1974, stainless steel
1 centime and aluminium-bronze 5 centimes in 1976, bi-metallic
10 francs in 1989, and tri-metallic 20 francs 1992, respectively. All of these coins matched the sizes and compositions of corresponding French coins.
was issued between 1920 and 1921. These were emergency issues for 25 and 50 centimes and 1 franc.http://aes.iupui.edu/rwise/countries/monaco.html
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
. The franc was subdivided into 100 centimes or 10 decimes. The Monégasque franc circulated alongside the French franc
French franc
The franc was a currency of France. Along with the Spanish peseta, it was also a de facto currency used in Andorra . Between 1360 and 1641, it was the name of coins worth 1 livre tournois and it remained in common parlance as a term for this amount of money...
with the same value. Like the French franc, the Monégasque franc was revalued in 1960 at a rate of 100 old francs = 1 new franc. The official euro-to-franc exchange rate
Exchange rate
In finance, an exchange rate between two currencies is the rate at which one currency will be exchanged for another. It is also regarded as the value of one country’s currency in terms of another currency...
was MCF 6.55957 to EUR 1.
Today, Monégasque coins have only numismatic value, including the fleurs de coins, or proof-like coins. The period for exchange of the coins for euros has expired.
The Monegasque franc was legal tender
Legal tender
Legal tender is a medium of payment allowed by law or recognized by a legal system to be valid for meeting a financial obligation. Paper currency is a common form of legal tender in many countries....
in Monaco, France and Andorra.
Coins
Monaco's first decimal coins were issued in 1837 and 1838, in denominations of 5 centimes, 1 decime and 5 francs. The 5 centimes and 1 decime were minted in both copperCopper
Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and atomic number 29. It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is soft and malleable; an exposed surface has a reddish-orange tarnish...
and brass
Brass
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc; the proportions of zinc and copper can be varied to create a range of brasses with varying properties.In comparison, bronze is principally an alloy of copper and tin...
and were the same size as the earlier French coins (France was not minting these denominations at the time) whilst the 5 francs matched the French coin. No further issues were made until 1882, from when gold 100 francs coins were issued until 1904.
Between 1924 and 1926, aluminium-
Aluminium
Aluminium or aluminum is a silvery white member of the boron group of chemical elements. It has the symbol Al, and its atomic number is 13. It is not soluble in water under normal circumstances....
bronze
Bronze
Bronze is a metal alloy consisting primarily of copper, usually with tin as the main additive. It is hard and brittle, and it was particularly significant in antiquity, so much so that the Bronze Age was named after the metal...
50 centimes, 1 and 2 francs were issued of the same size as the French coins. In 1943, aluminium 1 and 2 francs were introduced followed by aluminium-bronze versions in 1945, alongside aluminium 5 francs. In 1946, cupronickel
Cupronickel
Cupronickel or copper-nickel or "cupernickel" is an alloy of copper that contains nickel and strengthening elements, such as iron and manganese. Cupronickel is highly resistant to corrosion in seawater, because its electrode potential is adjusted to be neutral with regard to seawater...
10 francs were introduced, followed by 20 francs in 1947, a coin to which there was no corresponding French coin. In 1950, aluminium-bronze 10, 20 and 50 francs and cupro-nickel
Nickel
Nickel is a chemical element with the chemical symbol Ni and atomic number 28. It is a silvery-white lustrous metal with a slight golden tinge. Nickel belongs to the transition metals and is hard and ductile...
100 francs were issued, with the size of the 100 francs reduced to match the French coin in 1956.
When the franc was revalued in 1960, Monaco issued nickel 1 franc and silver 5 francs. In 1962, aluminium-bronze 10, 20 and 50 centimes coins were added, followed by nickel ½ franc coins in 1965, nickel-clad cupronickel 5 francs in 1971, nickel-brass 10 francs in 1974, stainless steel
Stainless steel
In metallurgy, stainless steel, also known as inox steel or inox from French "inoxydable", is defined as a steel alloy with a minimum of 10.5 or 11% chromium content by mass....
1 centime and aluminium-bronze 5 centimes in 1976, bi-metallic
Bi-metallic coins
Bi-metallic coins are coins consisting of more than one metal or alloy, generally arranged with an outer ring around a contrasting center. Common circulating examples include the €1, €2, British £2, Canadian $2, South African R5, Turkish 1 lira, and all Mexican coins of $1 or higher...
10 francs in 1989, and tri-metallic 20 francs 1992, respectively. All of these coins matched the sizes and compositions of corresponding French coins.
Paper money
The only Monégasque paper moneyPaper Money
Paper Money is the second album by the band Montrose. It was released in 1974 and was the band's last album to feature Sammy Hagar as lead vocalist.-History:...
was issued between 1920 and 1921. These were emergency issues for 25 and 50 centimes and 1 franc.http://aes.iupui.edu/rwise/countries/monaco.html