Tuesday, September 9, 2008

La Monnaie de Paris

It is recommended that you read this write up about the La Monnaie de Paris and find out all about them.

In all transactions with gold or any other precious metal with any gold dealer or mint, it is always wise to do your own due diligence and find out as much about them as possible.

Who are La Monnaie de Paris
Over the past 2,000 years coins have been minted at a large number of mints throughout France, and, being situated in the capital, the Paris Mint has always been considered the most important resulting in it becoming the sole official French government mint.

The Monnaie de Paris (or Paris Mint in English) is the mint that produces French and other gold and silver coins and medals. It is also known as the "Direction of Coins and Medals”.

The Monnaie de Paris, is a state owned commercial company holding a monopoly on the production of coins for the French Republic. It is also in competition with other European mints for the manufacture of euro coins as well as produces guarantee marks for the State and showcases the collections of Musée de la Monnaie (Mint Museum) to the public where you can find many ancient coins housed there.

The Monnaie de Paris Can be found at 11, quai de Conti, 75270 Paris Cedex 06.

On April 23rd, 2007, Mr. Christophe BEAUX was appointed chief executive officer of the Monnaie de Paris.

Theier website is www.monnaiedeparis.com and the first recorded date of the website is March 2000.

Their sales were an estimated EUR 2.3 billion ($2.2 billion) in 2002.

More About La Monnaie de Paris
The Paris Mint, The Monnaie de Paris is one of the oldest French institutions. An official statement dating back to the time of Charles the Bald : the edict of Pitres (864) bears witness to this.

The Monnaie de Paris is one of Europe's top money-issuing authorities. Informally known as the French Mint, the agency is attached to France's Ministry of Economy, Finance, and Industry, and responsible for the production and issuing of the country's supply of euros.

Monnaie de Paris manufactures coins and bills at its two facilities in Paris and Pessac, in the Gironde region near Bordeaux. The latter facility is a fully equipped mint, with operations spanning the entire cycle from metal production through to packaging. Between 1998 and 2002, the Pessac facility produced over nine billion coins for the launch of the euro.

The state-run agency also manufactures foreign currency coins and bills. Through the Direction of Coins and Medals (DCM), the Monnaie de Paris produces a wide range of commemorative coins for private and business sectors as well as the French government. Going in the direction many mints, such as the Canadian for example, the French mint now produces jewelry and other similar products and 2003 began to hold thematic design compositions in 2003.

The DCM is responsible also for the production of civil and military medals and related honor decorations for the French and other governments including the famous Legion de Honour medal, the highest decoration in France.

Products of La Monnaie de Paris

As well as the Euros of the nation, the Mint produces numerous gold and silver coins of the theme type commemorating various famous French figures, such as Monet and French places such as Lourdes for example. Also many other coins , medals, jewels and pendants, art objects and bronzes

Going to the web site there are many gold and silver coins and coin sets that are listed as “Mintage sold out” so you have to go through them to find something still available. Of course many of the coin sets will still be available from gold and silver coin dealers.

Buying from the Monnaie de Paris
One has to open an account of course to buy from the mint. Then one can select the gold or silver coins one want to buy. The Paris Mint accepts Bank Card with a maximum payment allowed of 1500 euros. Any other form of payment or for amounts larger than that one would have to talk to the mint and make an arrangement. and bank facilities also. VAT is payable on many of the products for members of the European Union but not for overseas, such as US citizens.

Price inclusive of tax, applies to deliveries Inside The European Union. This applies notably in France. The Europe price equals the export price plus 19.60 percent taxes. For Germany the price is the export price plus 16 percent taxes
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The currency is stated in EUROS ( 1 euro = FRF 6.55957) and payment is done in euros only. The total price to pay is the Export price plus any tax if applicable plus shipping. If there are any import duties into a particular country, these are not included and the buyer will be responsible for these. Inside the European Union there are no import duties payable.

European Union consists of the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lituania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherland, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom.

If the product is found to be faulty by the customer, the mint state they will replace it within 10 days of receipt.

Shipping is generally by "La Poste" for ordinary values and weights : Inside France : Colissimo system (up to 30kg). French Departments and Territories : Overseas system (up to 30 or 10kg) Throughout the World : International Parcel with declared value, ( weight or value >limit for the given country)

The price of shipping includes insurance against theft or damage in transit. The recipients signature will be required upon delivery.

Last Word on La Monnaie de Paris
When it comes to investment and in gold and silver however, a more convenient solution would be to buy gold at goldmoney.com which remedies the problems of delivery and storage as ones gold is stored for one in special London and Swiss bank vaults and delivery is not an issue.

If you have bought any Monnaie de Paris gold or silver from www.monnaiedeparis.com or any dealers please feel free to leave your feedback on the quality of service and products including any online complaints and special attention or service given by any dealers or www.monnaiedeparis.com.