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The Monnaie de Paris has released the first of three series of collector coins that mark the 2023 Rugby World Cup tournament, which France is hosting from the 8th September. This will be the second Rugby World Cup France is hosting following the 2007 tournament. The French team is one of the favourite nations to win the competition following their victory in the 2022 Six Nations tournament. This competition is the most prestigious rugby tournament in the world, and it has taken place every four years since 1987. The first series will be dedicated to the Great European Rugby Nations, particularly the Anglo-Saxon countries from which the sport itself originated. Each of the represented countries is a participant in the Six Nations tournament, an annual competition that is the oldest and most famous of international rugby competitions. France, England, Ireland, Wales, and Scotland are featured on five 1/4-euro coins, while the sixth one is dedicated to the competition emblem. Each design is the work of Joaquin Jimenez, General Engraver of the Monnaie de Paris.
FRANCE: At the centre of the coin is the Eiffel Tower, seen from the ground level. To its right is a rugby player in the midst of a run is holding the ball under his arm while holding out the other as if he was fending off an opponent. On the other side of the tower, the French flag is represented on a contemporary-shaped shield. The stylised text FRANCE follows the outline of the coin above and below the shield.
ENGLAND: At the centre of the coin is the top of the Elizabeth Tower of Big Ben, a reference to England. On the right side of the design is a player running with a ball under his arm. At the left of the coin, the English cross of St. George’s flag is depicted on a contemporary-shaped shield. The text ENGLAND and ANGLETERRE follows the outline of the coin above and below the shield.
IRELAND: Featured in the centre of the coin is the tower of the historic Trinity College Dublin. On the right side is a rugby player who is making a defensive gesture by holding the ball against himself. On the other side of the tower is the flag of Irish rugby depicted on a contemporary-shaped shield. The country’s name is written in English and in French, IRELAND and IRLANDE, and follows the outline of the coin above and below the shield.
SCOTLAND: In the centre of the coin is a depiction of Scotland’s iconic landmark, the Wallace Monument. To the right is a determined-looking rugby player running straight ahead, ball under his arm. To the left of the monument, the Scottish cross of St. Andrew flag is depicted on a contemporary-shaped shield. The name of the country is written in French and in English, SCOTLAND and ECOSSE, following the outline of the coin above and below the shield.
WALES: At the bottom half of the coin is an image of the medieval towers of Caernarfon Castle. Above and to the right is a rugby player depicted as he throws himself on the ground, ball in hand, as if to score a touchdown. To the left of the design is the country’s flag, shown in a contemporary-shaped shield. The design is surrounded by the name of the country PAYS DE GALLES, in Welsh, CYMRU, and in English, WALES, which follows the outline of the coin above and below the shield.
RUGBY EMBLEM: The sixth coin in the series features the official emblem of the competition, which will take place in France from the 8th September to the 28th October. Beneath the logo is the commemorative text RUGBY WORLD CUP FRANCE 2023. Around the logo, the map of France is broken down by stylised graphic elements and placed along the rim.
The common reverse for the series shows the Webb Ellis Cup, which the winner of the World Cup will have the pleasure of raising and keeping in their custody until the next tournament. On the left of the cup are the initials RF and on the right is the face value ¼€. The Rugby World Cup logo is placed below the cup. Encircling the design is the commemorative text COUPE DU MONDE RUGBY FRANCE 2023.
| Denom. |
Metal |
Weight | Diameter | Quality |
Maximum Mintage |
| 1/4 euro x 6 |
Aluminum-bronze |
15.8 g | 34 mm | Brilliant Unc. |
100,000 (each) |
Each coin is available as a separate purchase and is presented in a sealed coin-card format with illustrations and text referencing each country and design. For additional information, please click here.
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Hello!! I have read article about monnaie de Paris rugby coins!! That released the first of three series!! May I ask what the other two series will be about and if great teams as all blacks will be celebrated??
Hello Giovanni,
Thus far, I believe there are only five of the represented countries in the Six Nations tournament, an annual competition that is the oldest and most famous of international rugby competitions. France, England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland are featured on five Quarter Euro coins, I have not seen a coin for either Italy which is one of the six or New Zealand’s All-Blacks who are competing in the World Cup but there will be other coins in the series which includes gold and silver proof coins.
So you think teams as Italy and All blacks will be celebrated along the series??
Hello Giovanni,
The Monnaie de Paris haven’t indicated they plan to include other countries competing in the World Cup but, watch this space and if there are other additions/countries in this series, I will make sure they’re included here.
Thanks for your replies, you are very kind!!
In any case, you confirm me other two series are scheduled to be released in 2023 about this theme (rugby World Cup)?
Hello Giovanni,
My pleasure –
I can tell you that two more separate series featuring the Rugby World Cup will be released by the Monnaie de Paris will be released in September but, as the information is still under wraps, I’m afraid I can’t say more… except there will be gold and silver coins with excellent designs. 🙂
Hello!! May I ask you if you have news about New Zealand post issuing a coin themed All Blacks rugby team as they do every four year for rugby World Cup?? Please give me good news
Hello Giovanni Maria,
Thank you for reading, I haven’t yet received any information about New Zealand Post releasing coins featuring the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team but, if my office does receive anything, I’ll post an article in time to order the coin.
Hello!! I apologize to disturb!! Are there updates on the opportunity to have French coins themed rugby and dedicated to other nations?
Hello Giovanni,
Not yet but, the tournament doesn’t begin until September so keep a look-out here and if there is, we certainly let our readers know 🙂
Thank you for your replies, so kind!! Do you think All Blacks supporters will be happy this year with coin celebration? Or not? As your feelings I mean, not news.
Thanks again
Hello Giovanni,
My pleasure –
Well, if the Monnaie de Paris follow the same design specifications seen on these coins featured in my article, I think the All Blacks and New Zealanders will be quite happy with a coin in honour of their national team. A little over a month and the tournament begins 🙂
Hello!! I apologize to disturb!! Are there news on the opportunity to have French coins themed rugby and dedicated to other nations?
Hello Giovanni,
Nothing yet, the Monnaie de Paris are also on a summer break and no new coins are to be released until September. Keep your eye here and any news on the subject will be posted when we know 🙂
Hello!! Considering we are almost at the end of the month, are there updates about this wonderful series of coins??
Hello Giovanni,
Just a couple more weeks to go but, I believe the Monnaie de Paris will release new silver and gold coins to mark the tournament in early September which we will have an article about the coins. I do not see additional coins specifically to highlight individual teams taking part in the Rugby World Cup.
So, in your opinion, no more coins dedicated to single teams? No Italy, no All blacks and so on?
Hello Giovanni,
I don’t believe there will be a greater programme to include all the participating teams – there will be new gold and silver coins released with a great design which the Monnaie de Paris will be promoting at the beginning of September, stay tuned 🙂
Hello!! Considering it is 4th September, are there updates? No All blacks coin?
Hello Gio,
No, it doesn’t look as if there will be a singular coin featuring the All-Blacks, we will have a new article for additional gold and silver proof coins celebrating the Rugby tournament next week though and the tournament commences on the 8th, just a few more days 🙂