2025 France 3 x €10 Silver Proof Coins - UNESCO World Heritage: Notre Dame/The Coliseum/Shuri Castle

• Mint: Monnaie de Paris
• Denomination: 3 x €10
• Quality: Proof
• Issue limit: 3 x 5,000 pcs.
• Alloy: 90% Silver
• Diameter: 37 mm=1.46 in each
• Weight: 22.2 g=0.78 oz each
• Box/Capsule: Yes/Yes
• Certificate: Yes

Additional Information

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UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) has been listing important sites around the world as "World Heritage" since 1945, in order to classify, name and conserve cultural or natural properties of importance to the common heritage of humanity. As of 2019, 1,073 properties in 167 countries were listed.

Notre-Dame de Paris is a Gothic cathedral in the heart of the French capital, on the Île de la Cité. Built in the 11th century, its stained glass windows, gargoyles and buttresses have inspired a number of literary works, including Victor Hugo's novel. In April 2019, a violent fire destroyed a significant part of its structure, including its spire and roof. Restoration work then quickly got under way, with the aim of rebuilding the monument to its original state. On the obverse, in the foreground, a medieval stonemason symbolising the craftsmen who built the cathedral. In the second plan, the left-hand side of the cathedral in a detailed view and the right-hand side, as well as the spire, in a schematic line of the structure to evoke its construction/reconstruction.

The Colosseum, for example, is a true testament to Roman engineering and architecture. With a capacity of up to 50,000 spectators, it was the setting for a number of shows, including the famous gladiator fights, wild animal hunts and re-enactments of naval battles. Rome's historic centre has suffered many disasters, including the Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD and the earthquake of 1349, but the city has always recovered and rebuilt. On the obverse, in the foreground, a Roman gladiator, equipped with a shield and sword, confronts a lion. This scene is reminiscent of the "shows" that took place in the Colosseum, where gladiators fought wild beasts to entertain the public. In the background, a detailed view of the left-hand side of the Colosseum and a schematic view of the right-hand side to illustrate its construction/reconstruction.

Located in Japan's Okinawa prefecture, Shuri Castle was built at the end of the 14th century. The monument was originally a gusuku, a medieval Japanese fortress, but it later served as the royal residence of the Ryukyu kingdom (15th-19th centuries), then as a government and religious centre. It is also associated with the birth of Shuri-te, a martial art similar to karate. According to historical records, the castle has fallen victim to fire on several occasions, in 1453, 1660, 1709 and most recently in October 2019. During the last fire, a large part of the complex was destroyed, and restoration work began in 2022. On the obverse, in the foreground, the woman in traditional dress is wearing a richly decorated kimono, typical of the traditional court clothing of the Kingdom of Ryūkyū. This outfit is reminiscent of the clothes worn by the nobles or members of the royal family of the kingdom, of which Shuri was the political and cultural centre. The specific headdress was used for important ceremonies, such as royal weddings or state events. In the background, a detailed view of the left-hand side of Shuri Castle and a schematic view of the right-hand side to illustrate its construction/reconstruction.

The reverse is common to all the coins in the UNESCO series for 2025. It depicts the globe with parallels and meridians on the left-hand side and inscriptions of major UNESCO World Heritage sites on the right-hand side. The inscriptions are engraved in stone, echoing the Rosetta Stone. The left-hand side of the globe is surrounded by the UNESCO logo and the words "World Heritage".