Coin of the day, day 2: Aviation - Bac Concorde

Series: History of Aviation

Year: 2020

Colour: Yes

Diameter (mm): 33

Face Value (Euro): 1.5

Metal: Cupronickel

Weight (g): 15

Concorde was the first and, so far, the only commercial passenger plane capable of supersonic flight. 

Its development resulted from Anglo-French collaboration in this field, through the British Aircraft Corporation (BAC) and Sud Aviation (shortly thereafter to become part of Aerospatiale), plus the SNECMA and Rolls-Royce engine manufacturers that signed an agreement in 1962 for this undertaking project. Its’ cabin could hold 100 passengers, all of them in first class.  

In total two prototypes were manufactured (the first one of which made its maiden flight on 2 March 1969), two series prototypes and three pre-series prototypes and 13 series units. These last ones were acquired by Air France and British Airways.  

Regrettably, despite the unquestioned advance it represented in the world of commercial aviation, its success was short-lived due to the high price of the tickets and the equally high cost of acquiring the aircraft. In addition, unfortunately it was a dreadful accident that brought down the curtain on this aircraft: it happened in Paris on 15 August 2000, killing all of its’ occupants.  

Obverse and reverse information.  

On the obverse an image of the Concorde is reproduced in color. At the top, the legend CONCORDE. At the bottom, the legend ESPAÑA and the year of minting 2020 appear. The motifs and legends are surrounded by geometric figures symbolizing the shapes of the clouds.  

Reverse

On the reverse (common to all the pieces), the image of a two-bladed propeller is reproduced; above, the legend HISTORY OF AVIATION; below the central image, the value of the 1.5 EURO coin and the mint mark. Outside the central circle, the images of two turbines are reproduced, separated from each other by lines.  

Source: Real Casa de la Moneda

Read more about Concorde and its’ history on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concorde

Rate this coin.

By rating this coin, you will participate in our “Coin of the Day” competition. Read more here. Come back tomorrow to rate another coin, and earn more chances to win the weekly prize!

Previous
Previous

Coin of the day, day 3: Treasure of the Aztecs

Next
Next

Coin of the day, day 1: Helsinki Olympic games 1952