World’s oldest minting institution aims to bring creativity, elegance and history of French know-how to the Middle East

Monnaie de Paris, the world’s oldest minting institution, is expanding its presence in the Middle East with a view to bringing the creativity, elegance and history of the exceptional French craftsmanship in precious metals to the region.   

Internationally renowned for their historic expertise and know-how, the iconic Monnaie de Paris offers precious metal products that are manufactured by generations of its craftsmen who managed to keep the craft perfectly alive for 1,157 years. 

The prestigious Mint today offers a wide range of unique and high-quality precious metal products, including commemorative coins and medals, decorations, jewellery and decorative castings, all rooted in the authentic tradition of the French artistry, and expertly crafted using-age-old techniques.  The company’s reputation has led to numerous creations in collaboration with prestigious names such as Cartier, Baccarat, Boucheron and Van Cleef & Arpels.

Monnaie de Paris is active all over the world and recognised as a leader in the most important numismatic markets (Europe, Asia, United States), with a competitive advantage in terms of quality, innovation, and technical competence, highly valuated by governmental institutions and international groups, wishing to offer customized rewards to their employees, premium business gifts and personalized distinctions to their customers.

The company’s move to reinforce its regional position follows the successful release of numerous limited editions designed exclusively for prestigious names in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, among other countries in the burgeoning region.

Monnaie de Paris released a special edition of thank-you medals for frontline workers in Saudi Arabia in recognition of their outstanding efforts in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. It also made a special souvenir medal for Saudi Al Muhaidib Group, and created a customized limited edition of birth medals to celebrate UAE new-borns.  

“Highly valued globally, and in the Middle East in particular, the French products are synonymous with premium quality, style and know-how. Making the most of our deeply rooted expertise, we are committed to meet our clients’ expectations, offering them a wide range of medals, castings and trophies crafted from the finest metals,” said Mahdi Al Ouardighi, spokesperson for Monnaie de Paris in the Middle East. 

The ambitious plan by Monnaie de Paris to strengthen its regional presence and become a leading partner in the precious metal industry, including commemorative medals, corporate VIP gifts, museum procurement and finest gifts, is because the Middle East is set to witness major international events, most notably Dubai Expo 2020, due to open in October 2021.

The region will also be a venue for major sports events such as the FIFA World Cup 2022, scheduled to take place in Qatar from November 21 to December 18, 2022, while the Saudi port city of Jeddah will host the inaugural Saudi Arabia Grand Prix in November 2021.

“The Middle East is a growing marketplace, as it is set to host several major trading and sports events. We aim to tap into new markets in the region, driven by our longest standing philosophy that reflects our history and inspires the creation of unique, simple, and timeless products,” Mahdi Al Ouardighi added. 

Capitalizing on their historic savoir-faire and unrivalled mastery in crafting high-quality products, Monnaie de Paris vows to offer its potential Middle Eastern customers unique collections of commemorative castings and finest medals that are characterized by stupendous craftsmanship, unique design and an inherent sense of premium quality, combined with traditional artistic minting techniques and innovative modern touches.

About Monnaie de Paris

Monnaie de Paris, the world’s oldest continuously running mint, is a global leader in precious metals thanks to its generations of craftsmen and unrivalled mastery of metal craft. 

Founded in 864, Monnaie de Paris remains highly relevant today due to its two areas of activity: the production of commemorative pieces of art in precious metals at its Paris site (collection coins, decorations, medals, jewellery and bronze casts.

The second area of activity covers the striking of circulating French and foreign coins, notably for central banks in the Middle East.

Monnaie de Paris manufactures precious metal products in a sense of artistic creation, combined with a 1,157 year- expertise in metal, making itself a key contributor to the French luxury industry.