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CC 92 2011
Coin set
Proof
Coin set proof
Luxembourg · Jean du Luxembourg
Mintage1,500
Issue price€90.00
Issue date3 Feb 2011
PackagingCoin set
Edge lettering2 ★ ★ × 6, alternating upright/inverted
Market price€109.00
Issue occasion
The coin commemorates the 50th anniversary of the appointment of Grand Duke Jean as “lieutenant-représentant” by his mother, Grand Duchess Charlotte. The design shows Grand Duke Henri in half-profile, with the portraits of Grand Duke Jean and Grand Duchess Charlotte arranged behind him. “LËTZEBUERG” is inscribed above the portraits, while the names of the depicted Royal Highnesses are engraved below.
The design
The inner part of the coin depicts, on the right, the half-profile portrait of His Royal Highness Grand Duke Henri facing left, with the portraits of Grand Duke Jean and Grand Duchess Charlotte staggered behind him to the left. Above the three portraits is the inscription “LËTZEBUERG”. Above this, the year of issue “2011” is indicated between the mint mark and the mint master’s mark. The names of the Royal Highnesses are engraved below the respective portraits.
The outer ring of the coin depicts the twelve stars of the European flag.
The outer ring of the coin depicts the twelve stars of the European flag.
Background on the topic
The French title “lieutenant-représentant” designates a deputy of the head of state in Luxembourg. The reigning Grand Duke can commission the heir to the throne to assume part of his constitutional responsibilities. The appointment is neither an abdication nor a premature change of throne. Rather, it enables a gradual transition of official duties and gives the future head of state the opportunity to perform state responsibilities before his accession to the throne.
Charlotte had been Grand Duchess since 1919. She had assumed the throne following the abdication of her older sister Marie-Adelheid. In a referendum held that same year, the majority of the Luxembourg population voted to retain the monarchy. During the German occupation of Luxembourg in the Second World War, Charlotte, her family and the government went into exile. From there, she addressed the population, among other means, through radio broadcasts. She returned to Luxembourg after the end of the war. Her reign ended in 1964 with her abdication.
Jean, Charlotte’s eldest son, was a soldier in the British Irish Guards during the Second World War. After his return, he increasingly assumed public and state responsibilities. Three years after beginning his service as lieutenant-représentant, he succeeded his mother as Grand Duke. He remained in office until 2000 and then abdicated in favour of his eldest son Henri.
The selected anniversary thus refers to an orderly dynastic and constitutional transition. At the same time, it links three successive generations of the Luxembourg ruling house. A comparable preparation for the change of throne took place again later: before his own abdication, Jean also appointed Henri as “lieutenant-représentant”. The occasion was therefore suitable for depicting not only a personal family anniversary but also the institutional continuity of the Luxembourg monarchy.
Charlotte had been Grand Duchess since 1919. She had assumed the throne following the abdication of her older sister Marie-Adelheid. In a referendum held that same year, the majority of the Luxembourg population voted to retain the monarchy. During the German occupation of Luxembourg in the Second World War, Charlotte, her family and the government went into exile. From there, she addressed the population, among other means, through radio broadcasts. She returned to Luxembourg after the end of the war. Her reign ended in 1964 with her abdication.
Jean, Charlotte’s eldest son, was a soldier in the British Irish Guards during the Second World War. After his return, he increasingly assumed public and state responsibilities. Three years after beginning his service as lieutenant-représentant, he succeeded his mother as Grand Duke. He remained in office until 2000 and then abdicated in favour of his eldest son Henri.
The selected anniversary thus refers to an orderly dynastic and constitutional transition. At the same time, it links three successive generations of the Luxembourg ruling house. A comparable preparation for the change of throne took place again later: before his own abdication, Jean also appointed Henri as “lieutenant-représentant”. The occasion was therefore suitable for depicting not only a personal family anniversary but also the institutional continuity of the Luxembourg monarchy.