The Monnaie de Paris (French Mint) is now offering a group of Silver and Gold commemorative coins (2008) to celebrate the Franco-Japanese “Treaty of Peace”.

The Franco-Japanese “Treaty of peace, friendship and commerce” was signed on 9th October 1858. It constitutes the first step in Franco-Japanese relations, which are today, both rich and warm. Some years later, France became a model for Japanese modernization. In the same way, Japanese arts such as etchings, painting and ceramics strongly influenced the French art world at the end of the 19th century, giving rise to the Japanese style which would inspire the impressionist movement.

Three coins make up this group, each produced in both solver and gold. The .900 Silver proofs weigh in at 0.78 Oz. and are limited to 5000 pieces. The Gold coins are 0.920 fine and weight in at 0.30 oz and have a limited run of 3000 coins.

The obverse designs, all by artist Atelier de Gravure, are as follows:

• The “Kanei Tsuho” is a representation of a Japanese coin of the time
• The “Tableau japonais” is a Japanese painting dating from the era of the treaty : the portrait of “Ichikawa Ebizo IV” (late 17th century)
• The “Tableau français” is a French painting dating from the era of the treaty : an extract from “La Liberté guidant le people” by Eugene Delacroix (1830)

The reverse is common to the entire range, and represents the official logo of this anniversary.