€150,000 each: The World’s Most Expensive Euro Coins – They Really Exist!
By Sebastian Wieschowski
Search engines, journalists, and collectors alike are drawn to records—as demonstrated recently. A commemorative coin supposedly dedicated to Cristiano Ronaldo was claimed to fetch $150,000. Of course, the story was entirely fabricated, with CoinsWeekly helping to set the record straight. But do modern euro commemorative coins truly reach six-figure valuations?
France (2010): UNESCO World Heritage – 4th issue: Taj Mahal, India (€5,000), Au 999, 1,000 g, proof, 85.00 mm, 20 pieces – market value: €150,000. Photo: Monnaie de Paris / Archive Leuchtturm / Background: Sudipta Mondal from Pexels via Canva Pro.
A glance at the specialist literature offers some insight—Leuchtturm’s Euro Coin Catalogue, for instance, features plenty of eye-watering figures. The 2025 edition lists about 5,500 different commemorative coins (not counting variants), with roughly 1,900 of them from France alone. Most other Euro countries, which have been issuing coins since 2002, have produced around 200 different commemoratives.
France: A Constant Record-Breaker
When it comes to striking the same coin design in every conceivable size and metal, the Monnaie de Paris reigns supreme. The French mint has perfected the art of catering to all budgets while simultaneously delivering luxury-grade coin artistry. It’s no surprise, then, that the seven most expensive euro commemorative coins all hail from France: several gold coins released between 2010 and 2019 each command €150,000.
France (2012): UNESCO World Heritage – 6th issue: Abu Simbel Temples (€5,000), Au 999, 1,000 g, proof, 85.00 mm, 30 pieces – market value: €150,000. Photo: Monnaie de Paris / Archive Leuchtturm.
France (2014): 60 Years of Comité Colbert – 1st issue: 250 Years of Baccarat Crystal (€5,000), Au 999, 1,000 g, proof, 37.00 mm, 10 pieces – market value: €150,000. Photo: Monnaie de Paris / Archive Leuchtturm.
France (2015): 60 Years of Comité Colbert – 2nd issue: Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory (€5,000), Au 999, 1,000 g, proof, 85.00 mm, 15 pieces – market value: €150,000. Photo: Monnaie de Paris / Archive Leuchtturm.)
France (2017): 60 Years of Comité Colbert – 4th issue: Restaurant Guy Savoy (€5,000), Au 999, 1,000 g, proof, 85.00 mm, 10 pieces – market value: €150,000. Photo: Monnaie de Paris / Archive Leuchtturm.
France (2018): Wonders of France – Maison Boucheron (€5,000), Au 999, 1,000 g, proof, 85.00 mm, 10 pieces – market value: €150,000. Photo: Monnaie de Paris / Archive Leuchtturm.
France (2019): Masterpieces from French Museums – 3rd issue: “Mona Lisa” by Leonardo da Vinci (€5,000), Au 999, 1,000 g, proof, 85.00 mm, 20 pieces – market value: €150,000. Photo: Monnaie de Paris / Archive Leuchtturm.
They all share their substantial weight of one kilogram of gold, and their mintages range from just 10 to 30 pieces per design. In addition, they feature high-relief techniques, colour applications, and every conceivable type of specialised finishing:
Even 68 Cartier diamonds were used on one coin (dedicated to the Taj Mahal in India).
The coin commemorating “250 Years of Baccarat Crystal” came with an octagonal crystal stand featuring a slot where the coin can be displayed.
The issue celebrating the “Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory” was crafted in a bowl-like shape with a blue grand feu glaze and a convex form.
The coin honouring Restaurant Guy Savoy was delivered with a truffle made of Ag 950 and black nickel.
Lastly, the “Wonders of France” series coin dedicated to Maison Boucheron was designed as an octagonal polygon adorned with 31 diamonds.
Only the best for the King: Malta issued a one-kilogram gold coin for the coronation of Charles III. Photo: Central Bank of Malta.
Malta: A Special Honour for King Charles III
The British royal succession was not only an event of historical significance for collectors in the UK; it also drew great interest across Europe. Malta chose to pay a unique numismatic tribute in 2023, issuing several commemorative coins for the coronation of Charles III—including an XXL gold coin with a face value of €500 and a weight of one kilogram. Just ten proof-quality pieces were minted, and Leuchtturm estimates their market value at €100,000.
For those who wish to honour the new King Charles III in their collection but find the price of the kilo gold coin out of reach, a smaller 5-ounce version is available. Limited to a mintage of 30, this variant is listed in the Leuchtturm catalogue at €15,000.
Value Records for Euro Commemorative Coins: Gold Sets the Standard
The top coins from other Eurozone countries also make it clear: precious metal content plays a decisive role in collector value. The most expensive coins from each Euro country have, without exception, been struck in gold.
Outside this exclusive list, an interesting trend emerges: non-precious metal coins that have seen significant appreciation are primarily €2 proof coins from Italy and Slovakia. Individual pieces have climbed into the high three-digit or even four-digit range, despite their material value being just around €0.23.
Here is the list of the most expensive Euro coins (excluding those from France and Malta) from the current Leuchtturm Euro Coin Catalogue:
- Vatican City (2012): The Theological Virtues (I): Faith (€200), Au 917, 40 g, proof, 490 pieces – market value: €15,000
- Luxembourg (2020): Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg (1921–2019) (€100), Au 999, 31.1 g, proof, 250 pieces – market value: €6,500
- Greece (2003): 75th Anniversary of the Bank of Greece (€200), Au 916, 17 g, special proof, 1,000 pieces – market value: €5,250
- Croatia (2023): Croatian Cravat (€100), Au 9999, 31.103 g, proof, 500 pieces – market value: €4,500
- Lithuania (2024): Artificial Intelligence (€100), Au 917, 15.55 g, proof-like, 750 pieces – market value: €4,000
- Monaco (2023): 100th Birthday of Prince Rainier III (€50), Au 900, 16.20 g, proof, 499 pieces – market value: €3,500
- Germany (2002): Economic and Monetary Union – Introduction of the Euro (2nd issue) (€200), Au 999, 31 g, BU, 20,000 pieces – market value: €3,000
- Spain (2024): Iberian Eagle (€1.50), Au 999, 31.21 g, proof, 12,000 pieces – market value: €3,000
- Italy (2023): Italian Excellence: Giorgio Armani (€50), Au 999, 31.104 g, BU, 500 pieces – market value: €3,000
- Cyprus (2010): 50th Anniversary of the Republic of Cyprus (€20), Au 917, 7.98 g, proof, 750 pieces – market value: €2,500
- Ireland (2022): Centenary of the Irish State (€100), Au 999, 15.5 g, proof, 750 pieces – market value: €2,300
- Portugal (2024): Numismatic Treasures – 24 Escudos “DOBRA” (€7.50), Au 999, 23.33 g, proof, 2,500 pieces – market value: €2,000
- Austria (2013): Following Our Wildlife – 1st Issue: The Red Deer (€100), Au 986, 16.227 g, proof, 30,000 pieces – market value: €1,850
- Latvia (2018): Golden Brooches (III) – 17th Century Pearl Brooch (€75), Au 999, 13.00 g, proof, 1,000 pieces – market value: €1,800
- Belgium (2016): 100th Death Anniversary of Gabrielle Petit (€100), Au 999, 15.55 g, proof, 300 pieces – market value: €1,700
- Netherlands (2017): Dutch Athletes (I): 70th Birthday of Johan Cruijff (€10), Au 900, 6.72 g, proof, 1,000 pieces – market value: €1,700
- Estonia (2011): Introduction of the Euro – Estonia’s Future (€20), Au 999 / Ag 999, 14.6 g, proof, 10,000 pieces – market value: €1,250
- Finland (2019): 100 Years of the Finnish Constitution (€100), Au 917, 5.65 g, proof, 1,200 pieces – market value: €1,170
- San Marino (2017): 25th Anniversary of Membership in the UN (€50), Au 900, 16.129 g, proof, 500 pieces – market value: €1,150
- Slovakia (2010): UNESCO World Heritage – Wooden Churches in the Slovak Carpathians (€100), Au 900 / Ag 750, 9.5 g, proof, 6,600 pieces – market value: €1,110
- Slovenia (2024): 150th Birthday of Rudolf Maister (€100), Au 900, 7 g, proof, 750 pieces – market value: €1,000
- Andorra (2018): 25th Anniversary of the Andorran Constitution (€50), Au 999, 6.75 g, BU, 3,000 pieces – market value: €800
