Commemorative issue 75th Anniversary of the first transatlantic flight of Charles Lindbergh

Lindbergh made the first nonstop flight from New York City to Paris, a distance of 3,600 miles (5,800 km), flying alone for 33.5 hours. His aircraft, the Spirit of St. Louis, was designed and built by the Ryan Airline Company specifically to compete for the Orteig Prize for the first flight between the two cities. Although not the first transatlantic flight, it was the first solo transatlantic flight and the longest at the time by nearly 3,200 kilometres. It became known as one of the most consequential flights in history and ushered in a new era of air transportation between parts of the globe.

OBVERSE: Denomination, part of Europe and French map, Lindbergh portraitm cornucopia mint mark, designer's mark horse-shoe.

Lettering: RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE LIBERTÉ-FRATERNITÉ-ÉGALITÉ 1 EURO ½ C. LINDBERGH PARIS 22H22 21 MAI 1927. 2002

Motto Translation: French Republic Freedom - Brotherhood - Equality

Designer: Gerard Buquoy

REVERSE: Spirit of St.Louis airplane and the map, part of the United States New York and Alpha Greek letter.

Lettering: NEW YORK 7:52 AM MAY 20 1927 α 2002 75e ANNIVERSAIRE Spirit of St.Louis

Designer: Gerard Buquoy

EDGE: Smooth

Designer : "horse-shoe" - Gerard Buquoy (b.1944) French sculptor and medalist, he was head of the engraving department in Paris mint

Mint: "Cornucopia" - Pessac/Paris mint France 

Mintage in 2002 horse-shoe           10 000

Country                                           France

Type                                                Non-circulating coin

Year                                            2002

Value                                        1½ Euro

Currency                                    Euro (since 2002)

Composition                            Silver (.900)

Finish                                               Proof

Weight                                        22.2 g

Diameter                                      37 mm

Shape                                        Round

Orientation                                Medal alignment ↑↑

References                                KM# 1310