Jeu Numismatique
European coins of all periods replace the traditional courts and pips.
In the run-up to the introduction of the euro on 1 January 1999, there was much discussion about which common currency should be adopted across Europe. Illustrated in this pack are some of the forerunners of the euro including the écu. The suits are divided as follows: Clubs – Silver of Antiquity; Hearts – Gold of the Middle Ages; Spades – From the Renaissance to the Modern World; Diamonds – Monetary Union. Each of the court cards, aces and Jokers carries the name of the coin and the country of origin, with further information about each in the accompanying leaflet in French and English. On the numeral cards, the pips have been replaced by smaller versions of the coins which appear on the aces (except for the suit of Clubs). “Le Monnoyeur” (The Money Changer) from Nicolas de Larmessin’s series of engravings called “Les costumes grotesques et les metiers” is depicted on the reverse against either a red or a blue background.
Above: Jeu Numismatique playing cards made and published by France Cartes, Saint-Max, France, 1994. 52 cards + 2 Jokers + 1 title card + leaflet in French and English, in tuck box. Size: 63 x 88 mm. © France Cartes. France 1994
• See the leaflet French • English
The pack was compiled with the collaboration of Bruno Collin (b.1956), a French historian and coin specialist.
By Roddy Somerville
Member since May 31, 2022
Roddy started collecting stamps on his 8th birthday. In 1977 he joined the newly formed playing-card department at Stanley Gibbons in London before setting up his own business in Edinburgh four years later. His collecting interests include playing cards, postcards, stamps (especially playing cards on stamps) and sugar wrappers. He is a Past President of the Scottish Philatelic Society, a former Chairman of the IPCS, a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards and Curator of the WCMPC’s collection of playing cards. He lives near Toulouse in France.
Related Articles
Jeu Révolutionnaire
Court cards and aces from a French Revolutionary pack by Pinaut, Paris, c.1794.
Polish Kings and Queens – red deck
Polish kings and queens plus the court jester, illustrated in a distinctive style inspired by histor...
French Revolutionary cards by Pinaut
Seven cards from a French Revolutionary pack by Pinaut featuring characters from classical antiquity...
Never Mind the Belote
Limited edition Belote pack with designs by a collective of 24 street artists.
Sannois dans les étoiles
Celebrities and buildings associated with Sannois, a commune in the suburbs of Paris.
Ukraine playing cards
Historical figures from Ukraine’s past in a familiar Piatnik style.
Le Globe Céleste
Views and plans of five international exhibitions held in Paris between 1855 and 1900.
Baraja de Juan Martín Zamorano
Deck inspired by El Pendón de los Zamorano, a military pennant dating from 1501, published by Priego...
Le Journal de Mickey
Perforated sheet of cards with Disney characters issued with the magazine Le Journal de Mickey.
Tarot hiéroglyphique égyptien
The design of the cards draws inspiration from various religious and philosophical traditions merged...
La Réussite (Sébastien Féraut)
Sébastien Féraut’s designs inspired by the animal kingdom for a set promoting patience games.
Le Tarot de Sète
Reinterpretation of the Tarot de Marseille by Julien Labat, an artist from Sète.
Oracle Rock
Cartomantic set depicting rock and pop stars, designed by La Rata, with a book by Virginie Despentes...
Jeu Numismatique
European coins of all periods replace the traditional courts and pips.
Jeu Philatélique
Cards with French postage stamps featuring famous literary figures.
Tarot Philatélique
Tarot game pack with French postage stamps on all the courts, aces and trumps.
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 28 days
