When the Paris Mint strikes coins without authorization

History leaves a stain. In the spring of 2024, just before the Paris Olympic Games, the Monnaie de Paris launched production of a silver collector coin with a face value of 7.50 euros, as part of a series dedicated to the Olympic torch relay. A good initiative? Rather ill-timed. Not only was this value not authorized by the decree that established what the Monnaie could do, but the project was also not included in the 2024 program that it had submitted to the State. Immediately, Bercy demanded that the coin be withdrawn from circulation. Fiasco in sight! To avoid this, the Monnaie requested an amendment to the decree, authorizing the 7.50 euro coin. Approval was finally granted, and disaster was narrowly averted.

Serial "failures" , "lack of rigor", "quality problems", "fragile" financial situation... Founded in 864 under the reign of Charles II, the Monnaie de Paris may be one of the oldest companies in the world and the oldest French institution, but the Court of Auditors shows no leniency towards it in the report it unveiled on Thursday, September 11.

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