In 2021, Monnaie de Paris is inaugurating a new series based on literary styles and authors who have marked the history of literature in France and abroad.

In 2021, Monnaie de Paris started a new serie dedicated to litterature. After the celebration Moliere at the beginning of the year, Monnaie de Paris cannot celebrate the Theater without honoring William Shakespeare, a major playwright who continues to inspire artists around the world.

Born in England in 1564, he left such an indelible mark on the language of his country that the English language is still often referred to as “Shakespeare’s language”.

Equally gifted in comedy and tragedy, he wrote no less than thirty-seven dramatic works, including the famous Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet.

To pay him tribute, Monnaie de Paris is minting a series of gold and silver collector coins. 

This strike is made with a High Relief to highlight the author's profile.

The reverse side is common to the entire "Art of the Pen series". Several emblematic quotations are inscribed on it, such as Voltaire’s “Le mieux est l’ennemi du bien", Dante Alighieri's "Lasciate ogne speranza voi ch'intrate", William Shakespeare's "To be or not to be: that is the question" or Nietzsche's "Was mich nicht umbringt, macht mich stärker". A feather is engraved in the center of the coin and underneath the title of the serie. The mention "RF" is designed at the bottom right of the coin as well as the hallmark of Joaquin Jimenez.