Luxembourg is set to see the introduction of a new generation of euro coins. On Tuesday 7 July, the Grand Duke Guillaume visited the Monnaie de Paris in Pessac, near Bordeaux, to witness the inaugural minting of the eight new Luxembourg coins which will now bear his effigy. This symbolic milestone marks his accession to the throne and sees the national designs on Luxembourg’s coins updated for the first time since the introduction of the euro in 2002.

Minted at the Monnaie de Paris, the eight denominations – ranging from 1 cent to 2 euros – all bear the year 2026. They will be gradually put into circulation by the Central Bank of Luxembourg from 13 July. The old coins bearing the effigy of the Grand Duke Henri will not disappear: they remain legal tender and will continue to circulate alongside the new notes.

Several of the country’s symbols

Gaston Reinesch, governor of the Central Bank of Luxembourg, HRH Grand Duke Guillaume and Gilles Roth, minister for finance. (Photo: SIP/Sophie Margue)

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The delegation learnt about the entire process of manufacturing the coins, from the engraving of the dies to the minting. (Photo: SIP/Sophie Margue)

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Chiara Principe, an artist, coin engraver and the designer of the new coin, was also present, at the Grand Duke’s request. (Photo: SIP/Emmanuel Claude)

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HRH Grand Duke Guillaume, alongside Marc Schwartz, chairman and chief executive of the Monnaie de Paris. (Photo: SIP/Emmanuel Claude)

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The new national banknotes feature a portrait of Grand Duke Guillaume alongside several national symbols. (Photo: SIP/Emmanuel Claude)

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A symbolic milestone marking his accession to the throne and, for the first time since the introduction of the euro in 2002, seeing the national designs on Luxembourg’s coins updated. (Photo: SIP/Sophie Margue)

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The monarch performed the symbolic minting of the first two-euro coin. (Photo: SIP/Emmanuel Claude)

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According to Gilles Roth, pictured on the left, “the new coins symbolise the continuity of our state, our nation and our dynasty”. (Photo: SIP/Emmanuel Claude)

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The new coins will be gradually put into circulation by the Central Bank of Luxembourg from 13 July. (Photo: SIP/Emmanuel Claude)

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The delegation visited the engraving and tool-making workshop. (Photo: SIP/Emmanuel Claude)

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The delegation visited the engraving and tool-making workshop. (Photo: SIP/Emmanuel Claude)

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A tour of the factory at the Pessac site was also planned. (Photo: SIP/Emmanuel Claude)

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Grand Duke Guillaume was accompanied by the minister for finance, Gilles Roth (CSV), and the governor of the Central Bank of Luxembourg, Gaston Reinesch. The delegation was given an insight into the entire coin-making process, from the engraving of the dies to the minting, before the sovereign performed the symbolic striking of the first two-euro coin. At his request, this ceremony took place in the presence of all the staff at the Monnaie de Paris, as well as the artist Chiara Principe, who created the new design, in recognition of their work.

The new national sides feature a portrait of Grand Duke Guillaume alongside several national symbols, including the crowned lion and a stylised depiction of the Luxembourg flag. According to Gilles Roth, “the new coins express the continuity of our state, our nation and our dynasty. They embody our national unity and our shared future within Europe.’ Gaston Reinesch, for his part, considered that this issue ‘marks an institutional milestone, a moment of dynastic continuity and an important historical event for our currency’.