France 2002 Children's Quarter Euro Brilliant Uncirculated 1/4 Euro

The introduction of the Euro was an historic event, converting the traditional native currencies of most European Union countries to a new, single monetary denomination that is accepted throughout the new "Eurozone". The first 11 countries converting in 2002 were Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain. The Euro officially came into existence and conversion rates for the local currency of each country became fixed on December 31, 1998, but it was not until February 2002 that the conversion was finalized and the first Euro coins were issued for circulation.

A contest was organized in French schools, wherein 30,000 children participated to come up with a design for a commemorative coin to mark this change. The winning school was the Jean Jaures school in Bort les Orgues, located in the center of France. Students there collaborated on the design of the coin, while students at another school (in Salmagne, in eastern France) designed the card that displays the coin.

Obverse

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Reverse

The reverse symbolizes the peace and prosperity of the new combined currency. The globe is pictured, with a clever integration of the Euro symbol into it. The children hand in hand continue from the obverse, circling the Earth, and a Peace Dove with olive branch in its beak is flying off to the left, representing hope for a peaceful new era of European cooperation and financial stability.

Packaging

The coin is presented in a special collector card blister pack designed by children, as the coin was. The text is in English and French, and the full-color card allows both sides of the coin to be viewed.

Specifications