July 19, 2018 – Monnaie de Paris has struck its first Fairmined-issue on 14 May 2018. The 50-euro collector coin commemorates the end of WWI, 100 years ago. The ¼ ounce issue has a mintage of 600 pieces.
The new 50-euro collector gold coin commemorates the end of WWI in 1918 and is France’s first Fairmined-certified coin.
“Paix” (Peace) is the first coin struck in France made out of gold which was certified by Fairmined. As Fairmined describes itself on its website as “an assurance label that certifies gold from empowered responsible artisanal and small-scale mining organizations who meet world leading standards for responsible practices.” Thus Fairmined aims at providing securer and healthier working standards in the mining industry.
Aurélien Rousseau, CEO of Monnaie de Paris, controls the quality of the first struck “Paix” gold coin. At his side stands Alfredo Gonzalez of one of the mining cooperatives that provided the gold from which the coin was made.
The gold for “Paix” comes from mining organisations certified Fairmined situated in Colombia and Peru. One of these organisations is the “Cooperativa Multiactiva Agrominera del Municipio de Iquira” who sent Alfredo Gonzalez, one of their miners, to participate in the first strike ceremony.
For more information on Monnaie de Paris go to the mint’s website.
If you want to learn more in Fairmined and the label’s standards you will find many information on the Fairmined website.
The Great War is not only in France an important subject of coins but also in Great Britain and the Commonwealth countries.
Great Britain issued a six-coin set dedicated to WWI in 2017.
You can also watch a video explaining the Fairmined Initiative.