[EN] 0€ in “La Joconde”

 

Numismatica Quetzalcoatl  - Numista

     Have you ever heard the name "La Joconde"? Certainly, the image on the note quickly reveals its meaning, after all, this is one of the paintings that frequently appears at the top of the lists of “Most Famous Paintings in the World.” Here in Brazil, we know this beautiful and intriguing work by the name "Mona Lisa," painted in 1503 by the Italian Leonardo di Ser Piero da Vinci, who passed away in France sixteen years after the completion of this masterpiece. Today, the Mona Lisa is displayed at the Musée du Louvre in Paris.

     However, we are not here to discuss this iconic painting directly, but rather its representations in numismatics and banknote collecting, focusing specifically on one of them. The "Zero Euro" was launched in 2015 and, although it is made from the same material as current coins in Europe, it is merely a souvenir intended for collectors and tourists. However, it is worth noting that it is authorized by the European Central Bank (ECB).

     While it cannot be said that these zero euro notes are a "craze," I have noticed that they have been increasingly capturing the interest of many people in collecting. Although they are not common in Brazil, I know some sellers who have examples of this type, and the collection has been expanding every day. Currently, several countries have embraced this trend and are launching their respective notes, such as Portugal, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Austria.

     In numismatics, specifically, I recall twelve representations of the Lady of Giocondo. Among them, we find notes from Andorra, British Virgin Islands, Congo, France, Sharjah, and Yemen. And now, I present to you the zero euro note featuring the Mona Lisa.

     This note is not large compared to other euro notes, with specific dimensions of 133mm x 72mm. The selling prices in Europe range from €3 to €5, which are considered low prices. However, in the Americas, these values tend to be a bit higher, since they are not products originally from the region, making them highly sought after by collectors. It is important to mention that this note was launched in 2018.

     So, my friends, which of these notes do you already have? Take pictures with your notes and use the hashtag #numismáticacastro or tag @numismaticacastro in your Instagram posts. This way, you will be sharing your collections with us!

Pilhas Bowers - Numista

Interestingly, this is not the first time the Mona Lisa has been featured on a banknote; in 1931, Costa Rica issued this 2 Colones note, which remained in circulation until 1935.