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