LMU - Latin Monetary Union

The Latin Monetary Union (officially known as Union monétaire latine) was a currency union between France, Belgium, Italy, and Switzerland, which existed de facto from December 23, 1865, until 1914 and formally until December 31, 1926. Spain, Greece, Romania, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, Serbia, Montenegro (all monarchies), and Venezuela also adhered to the regulations of the Union. This resulted in a bimetallic silver-gold standard prevailing in a significant part of Europe. It is considered the only tangible outcome of Pan-Latinism. Some other countries minted their coins according to the Union's specifications but did not join it.

The following coins were allowed under the provisions of the treaty:

Historical Background of the Latin Monetary Union:

Introduction of the metric decimal system in 1790: 
The metric decimal system was introduced during the French Revolution in 1790. In 1803 (7th Germinal An XI), Napoleon completed the creation of the Franc Germinal, replacing the Livre Tournois. One Franc was equivalent to 100 Centimes, and the weight of the 20-Franc gold coin was set at 6.45 g with a fineness of 0.900 (corresponding to 5.801 g of pure gold).

The Treaty of the Latin Monetary Union: 
After Napoleon's defeat in the Battle of Waterloo (1815), most countries initially abandoned the currency system imposed by France but voluntarily returned to it during the 19th century. Under the initiative of Napoleon III and his minister Félix Esquirou de Parieu, a conference was held in 1865, during which France, Switzerland, Belgium, and Italy signed the Treaty of the Latin Monetary Union. Greece formally joined the Union in 1868.

The Union was built on innovative principles:

• Promoting trade
• Protecting bimetallism threatened by the influx of gold from California, Australia, and South Africa
• Creating conditions for lasting peace and prosperity in Europe
• Establishing a universal currency

End of the Latin Monetary Union: 
Bimetallism came under pressure again with the massive silver discoveries in Nevada and South America. However, it was the First World War (1914-1918) that dealt the final blow to the treaty. European gold reserves were sacrificed to finance the war, and the Latin Monetary Union was officially and definitively dissolved in January 1927.

Numismatic and historical interest: 
For collectors, this is an extremely interesting theme as coins in the format of the Latin Union were minted from 1795 until today. They bear witness to Napoleon's conquests, the construction, and the end of colonial empires, providing their unique perspective on history. Moreover, it offers an incredible opportunity to travel the world and discover the often unknown history of certain countries. Who, other than a collector of the Latin Union, would have the curiosity to look up the history of the Danish West Indies, which became the U.S. Virgin Islands after their purchase by the United States in the midst of World War I, to prevent German submarines from disrupting access to the Caribbean and the Panama Canal?

The Latin Union is also a great tool to explain to younger generations the various stages of European development over the past 200 years - and it is much more exciting than collecting coin sets.