Coin French Mint Leonardo da Vinci & the Mona Lisa - 10 Euros - Rectangular Silver FRANCE 2019 (MDP)

"Tribute to the finest works of French museums The Mona Lisa, the most famous work by Leonardo da Vinci

The obverse side features the famous work by Leonardo da Vinci. The half-length portrait of Mona Lisa is entirely reinterpreted with the original background. Wearing a dark green silk dress with yellow sleeves, the Mona Lisa seems to follow the viewer with her gaze, even as they move, as her gaze is perpendicular to the plane of the image. This portrait is surrounded by a silver frame reproduced from the actual frame of the artwork. This cutout will indeed be rectangular, just like the painting.

The reverse side is therefore rectangular in shape. It incorporates the common reverse of the series, which presents a mix of views from several major French museums. Added to this is the portrait of Leonardo da Vinci associated with the compass, a symbol of precision. It is accompanied by two of his inventions/creations: the flying machine and the Vitruvian Man. Created around 1490, the Vitruvian Man follows the proportions of the human body according to the Roman engineer and architect Vitruvius. A paragraph taken from his manuscript writings in reverse writing (for protection purposes) is also visible on the right side of the coin. The inscription '500 years' commemorates the anniversary of Leonardo da Vinci's death. The face value appears on the visual common to the series."