BU Mint Set

Robert Schuman was a French politician and Foreign Minister. He was born in Luxembourg in 1886 and grew up there; his birthplace is located in the present-day district of Clausen. After the First World War, he represented the Département Moselle, which had returned to France, in the French Parliament. During the German occupation of France, he was temporarily detained by the Gestapo. After the Second World War, he was among the politicians who sought institutionally secured cooperation between the European states.

The specific plan behind his declaration had been developed largely by Jean Monnet and his staff. It proposed placing French and West German coal and steel production under a joint, independent authority. These industries were central to armaments, energy supply and reconstruction. Their joint control was intended to prevent France and Germany from once again covertly building up war economies against each other. At the same time, other European countries were allowed to join.

The proposal led to the European Coal and Steel Community (Europäische Gemeinschaft für Kohle und Stahl). It comprised France, the Federal Republic of Germany (Bundesrepublik Deutschland), Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. The corresponding treaty was concluded in Paris in 1951 and entered into force in 1952. With the High Authority, a Common Assembly, a Council of Ministers and a Court of Justice, the Community already had institutions that preceded the later structures of the European Communities. Jean Monnet became the first President of the High Authority.

Luxembourg is connected to this occasion in several ways. In addition to being Schuman’s country of origin, it was one of the six founding states. Furthermore, the High Authority and the Court of Justice of the European Coal and Steel Community began their work in Luxembourg. The city thus became an early location for joint European institutions.

The anniversary therefore concerns not only a French foreign-policy proposal, but also a starting point for European integration after 1945. 9 May is observed by the European Union (Europäische Union) as Europe Day. For Luxembourg, the coin’s theme links the history of European integration with Schuman’s biography and the country’s own role as a founding state and seat of institutions.