Eighty years after the Allied victory in Europe, Monnaie de Paris honours the courage and sacrifice that restored peace to a war-torn continent with the V-E Day 80th Anniversary €10 Silver Proof Coin – French Soldier.
This remarkable 2025 release pays tribute to Léon, a Second-Maître (Petty Officer) of the Kieffer Commandos — one of just 177 Frenchmen who stormed the beaches of Normandy on D-Day. After the Normandy campaign, Léon continued to fight across Europe, taking part in the Walcheren landing and the capture of Vlissingen (Operation Infatuate) in the Netherlands. By the war’s end, his unit stood as a symbol of France’s resilience, bravery, and commitment to liberation.
The reverse design unites the flags of all Allied nations that took part in the Normandy landings — France Libre, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Australia, the USA, Norway, the UK, Czechoslovakia, Canada, and Belgium — arranged around the face value (10 €) and the “RF” (République Française) initials. Beneath, a line of stars honours the Liberty Road, marking the path of the Allied advance through France toward Luxembourg — a route forever etched in the history of liberation.
Struck in 99.9% fine silver to Proof quality, this coin embodies remembrance and unity, honouring those who fought for freedom. With a limited mintage of only 1,945 pieces, it’s both a historic keepsake and a symbol of enduring peace.
