November 3, 2016 – Monnaie de Paris issues a series of coin in their ‘Youth Series’ featuring ‘Mickey Through the Ages’. One of Walt Disney’s most popular creatures is represented on coins of various denominations in silver and gold.
Walt Disney in a 1946 publicity photo from the Boy Scouts of America. Disney was given an award by them in 1946.
Walt Disney
Walt Disney was born December 5, 1901 in Chicago. In 1923 he created with his brother Roy an animation studio named Disney Brothers Studio. Their business will adopt its final name in 1928, becoming the Walt Disney Productions. The same year, the character of Mickey is created, then come to Donald Duck in 1934. In 1955 one of the first parks to theme in the world, Disneyland, opened in California. This project was born after many years of development and design. Walt Disney died in 1966, the company was taken over by his brother Roy until 1971.
The origins of Mickey Mouse
In 1928, Walt Disney and his long-time friend Ub Iwerks created the character Mortimer Mouse, who became the year after the well-known character Mickey. It is in Steamboat Willie that Disney succeeded his master stroke giving birth to Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Peg-Leg Pete. Thereafter this success, Walt Disney remastered the two first movies, Plane Crazy with the feat of crossing the Atlantic by Lindbergh and Gallopin’ Gaucho in with versions with sound.
France / 500 euros / 5oz .999 gold / 155.5g / 50mm / Mintage: 99.
500 euros Gold
The obverse of this coin depicts the first design of Mickey Mouse that appeared in the short film ‘Plane Crazy’ in 1928, date at which the public view for the first time who would become the Ambassador of Disney. In the center of the coin, the polished Mickey’s head magnifies the drawing. The inscription ‘Mickey through the ages’ gives the intent of the collection: show the evolution of the emblem of Disney which celebrates its 88 years in 2016.
Next to these elements, we can see the Disney copyright and the inscription RF.
The reverse of this coin presents the Mickey’s head as we know today, on a stylized background, mutual to every coin of the collection. The face value is mentioned in one of the ears of Mickey, as well as the vintage in the other ear. The reverse is the same for all coins except the face value.
France / 200 euros / 1oz .999 gold / 31.104g / 37mm / Mintage: 500.
200 euros Gold
The obverse of this coin has a different design of Mickey, from the second short film named ‘Steamboat Willie’ in 1928, that made Mickey the mythical figure of Disney. In the center of the coin, the polished Mickey’s head magnifies the drawing. Next to these elements, we can see the Disney copyright and the inscription RF.
France / 50 euros / 1/4oz .920 gold / 8.45g / 22mm / Mintage: 1,000.
50 euros Gold
The obverse of this coin depicts a more modern design of Mickey Mouse. Appeared in the short film named ‘Mickey’s Nightmare’ in 1932, this drawing is closer to the version of Mickey that we know today. In the center of the coin, the polished Mickey’s head magnifies the drawing. Next to these elements, we can see the Disney copyright and the inscription RF.
France / 50 euros / 5oz .950 silver / 163.80g / 50mm / Mintage: 500.
50 euros Silver
The obverse of this silver colorized coin shows the evolution of the iconic character of Disney from 1928 to the present day, through 5 drawings. Handmade resin deposits magnify these different representations of the character. In the center of the coin, the polished Mickey’s head highlights the character. Next to these elements, we can see the Disney copyright and the inscription RF.
France / 10 euros / .900 silver / 22.2g / 37mm / Mintage: 3,000.
10 euros Silver
The obverse of this silver colorized coin shows a representation of the iconic character of Disney created in 1928. The ears, the nose and the short are colorized by handmade deposits of black, red and yellow resins. In the center of the coin, the polished Mickey’s head highlights the character. Next to these elements, we can see the Disney copyright and the inscription RF.
France, miniset BU of all current circulation coin denominations.
Additionally a miniset BU is available with the current circulation coins in a Mickey Mouse package.
For more information on the coins and other products go to the Monnaie de Paris website.
You can check out the Mickey Mouse characters here.
And if you want to read some Mickey Mouse comic strips you will find them here reprinted.
And if you want to see Steamboat Willie once again. Here it is.