The Treasures of Paris gilded proof silver coin range visits the Institut de Paris for its second outing.

The latest in the Monnaie de Paris (Paris Mint) proof coin series called Treasures of Paris has just managed to sneak in before the years end, fulfilling the mints commitment to two debuts per annum, and like previous entrants features selective gilding to parts of the reverse face. Quite similar in concept to another series they have called The Seine Banks, this one is strictly silver only, no gold coins being offered.

In a clever twist, the series gilding will reflect gilding on the actual building facades being celebrated, so where to apply it on the coins will be a matter of matching the reality of the Paris skyline. The first coin looked at one of the worlds best opera houses, the Paris Opera Garnier, this one the equally imposing Institut de France. The Institut de France is a grouping of five académies, the most famous of which is the Académie Française. It manages around a thousand different foundations, and awards prizes and subsidies of over €5 million every year to those recommended by the academies. Established in 1795 by the French government, most of the academies that make up the Institut are much older, the Académie Française for example dating back to 1635.

The coin is available in two formats again, the mints popular 22.2g, 37mm diameter, 0.900 silver format, as well as a much heavier 5oz version. True to form, the gilded dome of the actual building is reproduced on the coin and the background is packed with interesting views and detailing of the structures exterior. The obverse replaces each district of Paris with a pyramid pattern, much like a mathematical representation in graph form, including the small islands that sit mid-stream in the Seine and were home to early Paris. We like both faces.

We described the 5oz coin as heavier instead of just bigger even though both are factually accurate, mainly because it brings to light a disappointment with this series. The small 22.2 gram coin is the standard 37mm in diameter, a format that the Monnaie de Paris uses extensively. The five-ounce, remember that in this case (given the silver is 0.950 and not 0.999), weighs over seven times as much, yet the diameter is just 50mm. With a design full of such intricacies as these, it would’ve been nice to see a coin in the 65-75mm diameter range, something easily achievable. A missed opportunity we think.

Available to order now, the smaller coin sells for €82.00, the larger for €494.00, both up from the launch prices of €78 and €470 for the Opera Garnier coin, although those have now risen to match this new coin as well. These always look beautiful in hand compared to the images, so well worth tracking one down if architecture is your thing.

This new series proposes an overview of some of the nicest buildings of the French capital bearing a gilded part in their facade. Each year, two buildings will be honoured.

The obverse of this 10€/50€ silver coin represents a view of the Institut from the Pont des Arts. The reverse proposes a modern view of the Paris map. All 20 districts are symbolized by small pyramids.