The French Mint - no, the people who make the money, not a Gallic After Eight - has made a special €10 silver coin to commemorate the 70th birthday of the Citroen DS saloon and the DS brand.
5,000 coins will be made
The coin was shown off at the International Money Fair (a thing, apparently) in Berlin before being brought to Paris and put on sale on the Citroen and DS stand at the Retromobile Classic car show. It costs €15, comes with a commemorative booklet, and only 5,000 will be made.
20 years of DS production
The silver coin features the image of a 1955 DS mirrored with that of a 1975 model, representing the 20 years of the car’s production, during which 1.5 million examples were made. The coin also features yellow gold highlights, which represent the swivelling headlight beams, a tribute to the fact that the DS pioneers headlights, which swivel with the steering. The gold beams cross in the centre of the coin, which is also meant to represent the new X-shaped steering wheel, which makes its debut in the new DS No.8 electric SUV.
This won’t be the only DS coin commemoration. Further special mintings - including two solid silver coins and a gold one — are planned for later in the year.
Beauty and innovation
“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,” said 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 collaboration in aid of our common history, and of the publication of this special coin,” said Xavier Peugeot, CEO of DS Automobiles.