2022 France €10 Silver Proof Coin "The Art of the Pen: Moliere 400 Years"

• Mint: Monnaie de Paris
• Denomination: €10
• Quality: Proof
• Issue limit: 3,000 pcs.
• Alloy: 90% Silver
• Diameter: 37 mm
• Weight: 22.2 g
• Box/Capsule: Yes/Yes
• Certificate: Yes

Additional Information

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This is the third release in the series the Art of the Pen, which pays tribute to historic literary figures. Previous issues have featured Dante Alighieri and Jean de la Fontaine. The latest coin features Jean Baptiste Poquelin, known professionally as Molière, widely considered one of the greatest actors and playwrights of French theatre.

Released on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of his baptism - his birth date is unknown - the obverse highlights a three-quarter portrait of Molière. His right hand pushes back the stage curtain, which also artistically merges with the actor’s hair. To the right of the portrait, two of his most emblematic characters are also illustrated, namely the Bourgeois Gentilhomme and the Miser, along with an image of the theatre Comédie Française. To the left of the portrait and along the edge is stylised script denoting his stage name with the years of Moliere’s baptism and death dates, separated by a small sun representing the patronage of King Louis XIV.

The reverse design is common to the series and features 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 Dane 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.