Since 2017, the Monnaie de Paris has paid tribute to some of the most iconic artworks ever created or exhibited in France, transforming timeless paintings into collectible coins of extraordinary craftsmanship. In 2021, they turned their attention to one of the most captivating portraits in art history—Johannes Vermeer’s The Girl with a Pearl Earring.

Nicknamed the “Mona Lisa of the North,” this 17th-century Dutch masterpiece has mesmerized viewers for centuries. Much like da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, the subject's subtle gaze, quiet presence, and enigmatic expression evoke endless fascination and interpretation.

The painting rose to renewed global fame in 1999 with the publication of Tracy Chevalier’s novel Girl with a Pearl Earring, a fictional account of the mysterious young woman behind the canvas. The story follows Griet, a 16-year-old maid in Vermeer’s household who becomes the unlikely muse of the great artist. As Vermeer gradually invites her into his artistic world, a quiet, intense connection grows between them—disrupting the fragile balance of their domestic life. The book’s success led to a critically acclaimed film starring Scarlett Johansson and Colin Firth, further cementing the painting’s iconic status in modern culture.

Despite the popularity of the novel and film, little is actually known about the real-life girl in the painting. Was she a maid? A relative? A figment of Vermeer’s imagination? The mystery remains. What we do know is that Vermeer completed the portrait in 1665–66, and it eventually found its way into his patron’s collection. After being lost to history, it resurfaced 200 years later, purchased for a mere two guilders before being recognized as a true Vermeer. In 1902, it was donated to the Mauritshuis Museum in The Hague, where it resides to this day—now a priceless treasure.

To honour this enigmatic work, the Monnaie de Paris has minted a stunning coin: The Girl with a Pearl Earring ½ KG Silver and ¼ Oz Gold Coin. The obverse side features a full-colour depiction of the painting, elegantly framed by a finely engraved border that mirrors the original frame, giving the impression of holding the artwork itself. Vermeer’s name, his birth and death dates, and the coin’s year of issue are also inscribed.

The reverse side continues the celebration of French artistic heritage. It showcases multiple architectural views from renowned French museums. These include:

• The Musée d’Orsay, with its iconic clock;
• The Louvre, seen from the Napoleon courtyard;
• The Hôtel Salé, home to the Picasso Museum;
• The Hôtel Biron, now the Rodin Museum;
• And the striking stairway of the Centre Pompidou.

Together, these elements speak not only to France’s rich cultural legacy but to the enduring power of art to transcend time, language, and borders.

For collectors and art lovers alike, this coin is a rare convergence of numismatic brilliance and artistic legacy. Whether you’re drawn by the story, the symbolism, or the sheer beauty of Vermeer’s painting, this exquisite piece immortalizes a global treasure in silver and gold.