DS AUTOMOBILES AND THE FRENCH MINT CONTINUE THEIR COLLABORATIONCELEBRATING 70 YEARS OF THE LEGENDARY DS

• The French Mint and DS Automobiles are continuing a partnership in excellence to celebrate the 70^th anniversary of an automotive icon: the DS.
• After a first 10 EURO note, revealed at the beginning of the year and sold out in just a few days, the distinguished collection is now complete: a 10 EURO coin in solid silver, a 20 EURO coin in fine gold, a 20 EURO coin minted in High Relief solid silver and a special DS miniset.
• This collection has been designed and minted in France in a limited edition. Perfect gifts for lovers of the legendary DS, as well as for discerning collectors or lovers of the finer things.

The DS: a true 20^th century icon

When it was introduced on Thursday 6 October 1955, under the stately vaulted ceiling of the Grand Palais at the Paris Motor Show, the DS instantly became a phenomenon. Designed by Flaminio Bertoni, a talented stylist, sculptor and painter assisted by a team of designers, the DS is as revolutionary as it is elegant with its avant-garde lines and innovations. Its technology is also beguiling, thanks to the talent of two men. The first, André Lefèbvre, an aeronautical engineer by training, is a fervent supporter of front-wheel drive, but also of aerodynamics, lightness and weight centring. The second, Paul Magès, a self-taught engineer, is the creator of hydraulics. It’s he who invented the famous hydropneumatic suspension, but also the hydraulic assistance for the DS’s steering, clutch and braking. The DS was revolutionary and quickly established itself as a benchmark in the automotive world and carried several presidents of the French Republic.

Almost 1.5 million units of this car would be produced for twenty years in the heart of Paris. Nearly forty years later – on 1^st June 2014 – the two letters of this legendary car were reborn with the creation of the DS Automobiles brand. This legacy of the DS is today rooted in the timeless DNA of the Brand, which is inspired by it to design models embodying the French art of travel. And so the story continues.

On the 70^th birthday of its ancestor, DS Automobiles is joining forces with the French Mint to issue a collector’s coin and thereby celebrate this 20^th century automotive icon! The first piece, a 10 EURO silver coin, on sale on 4^th February, sold out in just a few days, proof of the aura of this Old Lady. Now the collection is being enhanced by offering new denominations in limited editions.

The leaders of these two institutions talk about this collaboration as follows:

“The automotive world and French Mint have a distinct taste for beauty and technical innovation in common. It seemed natural for us to mark the 70th anniversary of a legendary vehicle: the DS, a unique opportunity to showcase the expertise of our organisations. Enthusiasts will appreciate all the references focused on this collection event’s coins.”

Marc Schwartz – French Mint CEO

“Our DS Automobiles brand is based on an exceptional legacy, that of the DS 19 born 70 years ago.

In a rapidly changing automotive world, we continue to carry on the values of innovation, excellence and avant-garde that make up the DNA of this legendary car. The DS has become a must-have for car collectors, and they will undoubtedly appreciate our partnership with the French Mint, whose more-than 1,100 years of history make it the oldest institution in France. We are very proud of this alignment over our common history, and of the release of these coins, each one more exceptional than the last.”

Xavier Peugeot - DS Automobiles CEO

Coins in the spotlight

The first design from the DS collection features a DS 23 produced in 1975, whose swivelling headlights, another innovation of this legendary car, illuminate the face of the coin. The light is depicted with clever colouring for a striking contrast with the dark background covered in rhodium, the ultimate rare metal. Below, like a reflection, you see the original 1955 DS. Both versions symbolise the stylistic developments of the DS. On the text side, we find the name “DS” and the year of the first model “1955” accompanied by the reference “RF” République Française, but also the year of the coin “2025”.

“I’m really delighted to introduce this coin dedicated to the 70^th anniversary of the DS, a car

that fascinates me and is particularly close to my heart, especially as I own one myself.

The DS is a true symbol of French design and expertise with its unique lines and revolutionary comfort.

In designing this coin, I wanted to reflect this elegance and innovation that has impressed generations

and become a legend.”

Joaquin Jimenez – French Mint Engraver General

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SILVER 10 EURO COIN PRF(Proof)

Sale price: 111€

Features: Silver 999 ‰ – Ø 37 mm – 22.2 g

3,000 examples

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GOLD 20 EURO COIN PRF (PROOF)

Sale price: 470€

Features: Gold 999 ‰ – Ø 15 mm – 3.11 g

1,000 examples

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In silver or gold, these coins also profit from the talent of the French Mint’s engravers. On the reverse, the face value of the coin is shown, accompanied by a reminder of the 70^th anniversary of the first DS. Connoisseurs will recognise at first glance the car’s characteristic rear turn indicator cornets, enhanced by a translucent red colouring. These coins, in very limited edition, enjoy premium manufacturing with superior quality minting known as Proof (Belle Épreuve in French) and a numbered case.

Larger than life relief

Keen to innovate continuously in its manufacturing processes, the French Mint is offering a so-called high relief denomination in this DS collection. Thicker than usual, this kind of coin can bring life to the engraving which seems to jump out of the coin!

The high relief 20 EUROS pays tribute to the flowing, aerodynamic lines of the original DS with a view from above and below as it speeds down the road. Considered a real sculpture from the moment it was launched, the avant-garde car par excellence has profited from all the expertise and the creativity of the French Mint’s engravers. This denomination is being offered as a Proof (PRF) minting in a numbered case.

The DS Miniset

The DS is also available in a miniset with a print run of only 500 units. Well known to coin collectors, this product uses the 8 French coins in circulation with a themed design.

MINISET BU (Brilliant Uncirculated)

Sale price: 55€

500 examples

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The DS collection coins are available for sale on the www.monnaiedeparis.fr/ website and at authorised French Mint retailers.