Silver Ounce 2020 Year of the Rat, Coin from France - detailed information

Silver Ounce 2020 Year of the Rat, Coin from France
CoinSilver Ounce 2020 Year of the Rat

Like many other mints, Monnaie de Paris (the Paris Mint) issues coins in precious metals, having much higher intrinsic value than their face value. The one ounce (1 oz) silver coins are denominated as 20€ (Twenty Euro), and as such are only legal tender in France and not in the whole Eurozone - only the regular circulating coins from 1 Euro Cent to 2 Euro are legal tender in all member countries, while all other denominations are legal tender in the issuing country only.

Some of these coins are issued around the theme of the Chinese Lunar Calendar - a zodiac with a twelve-year cycle in which every year is associated with one of twelve different animals.

This coin is dedicated to the Chinese 2020 Year of the Rat (25 January 2020 to 11 February 2021) - also known as the Year of the Mouse.

According to the Chinese zodiac, those who are born under the sign of the rat tend to be curious, skillful and lovable.

MintParis Mint Mint MarkCornucopia Total Mintage 2,500
Obverse
France / Silver Ounce 2020 Year of the Rat - obverse photo

The obverse of the coin features a circle above right representing a temple door with Chinese-style ornate handles and latch, on which the inscription RF stands for "République Française" - French Republic. This is surrounded by an ornate ring, below which a ribbon with the inscription CALENDRIER CHINOIS (Chinese Calendar).

The rest of the surface is divided into twelve uneven sectors, each representing one year in the cycle, with the year near the rim (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029), and depictions of the respective zodiac animals.

On two lines above left, the face value 20 EURO

Obverse Inscription 20 EURO RF CALENDRIER CHINOIS
Reverse
France / Silver Ounce 2020 Year of the Rat - reverse photo

The reverse design depicts a rat stepping through an ornate ring decorated with traditional Chinese motifs.

On the left, the Chinese character for rat, .

Around right, the inscription ANNÉE DU RAT 2020 (Year of the Rat 2020).

Near the rim below left, the Cornucopia privy mark of the Paris Mint. Near the rim below right (under the rat's claw), the personal privy mark of the Chief Engraver of the mint Yves Sampo - a pentagon rosette with stylised letters "ag mp ys", for Atelier de Gravure, Monnaie de Paris and Yves Sampo.

Reverse Inscription 鼠 ANNÉE DU RAT 2020
EdgePlainEdge InscriptionNone
Notes

Finish: proof, high relief.
Packaging: in presentation box, with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.

See also

Coins issued by the Paris Mint to mark the Lunar Year of the Rat 2020 include:
- 1/4 oz Gold Proof (€50), Year of the Rat 2020
- 1 oz Silver Proof (€20), Year of the Rat 2020
- 22 g Silver Proof (€10), Year of the Rat 2020

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Silver Ounce 2020 Year of the Rat: Details
CountryFrance
CurrencyEuro, France
Coin TypeSilver Ounce, Lunar
Issued2020
Face Value20 (x Euro, France)
Total Mintage2,500
CurrentYes
Material0.999 Silver
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
OrientationMedal Alignment (Axis 0)
Size37.0000 mm
Mass31.1040 g
OCC IDLGVB-OLDC-KVMY-OMPX
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Silver Ounce 2020 Year of the Rat: Photos
ImageDetails
Silver Ounce 2020 Year of the Rat: Photo Coin, France, Silver Ounce 2020 Year of the Rat / thumbnail Coin, France, Silver Ounce 2020 Year of the Rat
Copyright: Paris Mint
Source
Silver Ounce 2020 Year of the Rat: Photo Coin, France, Silver Ounce 2020 Year of the Rat / thumbnail Coin, France, Silver Ounce 2020 Year of the Rat
Copyright: Paris Mint
Source
Silver Ounce 2020 Year of the Rat: Catalogue Reference IDs
SourceReference ID
Krause, Standard Catalog of World CoinsFrance KM# 2898