Luxembourg · Coat of arms of the Grand Duchy

Grand Duke Henri was born in 1955 as the eldest son of the future Grand Duke Jean and Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte. He assumed the office of head of state in October 2000 after his father abdicated. Luxembourg is a parliamentary democracy in the form of a constitutional hereditary monarchy. The Grand Duke represents the state abroad, formally appoints the government and promulgates the laws. His powers are bound by the Constitution and parliamentary procedures.

The grand-ducal coat of arms combines the heraldry of Luxembourg with that of the House of Nassau. The traditional Luxembourg coat of arms consists of horizontal silver and blue stripes and a red, crowned lion with a double tail. It dates back to the medieval Counts of Luxembourg. The Nassau heraldic elements show a golden lion on a blue field strewn with golden shingles. The personal coats of arms of the Grand Dukes bring both traditions together. The coat of arms thus refers both to the country and to the dynasty of the head of state.

Luxembourg’s connection with the House of Nassau arose in the 19th century. Until 1890, the Grand Duchy was linked to the Netherlands in a personal union. After the death of the Dutch king and Luxembourgish Grand Duke Wilhelm III., the Luxembourgish crown passed to Duke Adolph von Nassau under the succession rules in force at the time. Since then, the Nassau line has provided Luxembourg’s heads of state.

The issue fell in the tenth year of Henri’s term in office. However, the official designation does not mention a jubilee of the reign, but exclusively the grand-ducal coat of arms as the subject. A specific historical anniversary is therefore not conclusively documented as the occasion. Rather, the theme belongs to a series of Luxembourgish coin designs relating to the head of state, the monarchy and its heraldic symbols.