2020 20€ SILVER COIN JACQUES CHIRAC

A major figure in French history. A tribute paid to a great Statesman.

Born on November 29th, 1932 in Paris to parents from Correze, Jacques Chirac had more than 40 years of political life and held the highest offices of the Republic.

His career began in 1962 when he joined the cabinet of Prime Minister Georges Pompidou. At the same time, he was elected Municipal Councillor in Correze.

In 1972, he was appointed Minister of Agriculture under the presidency of Georges Pompidou. In 1974, he joined forces with Valery Giscard d’Estaing who, once elected President, appointed him Prime Minister. He entered the National Assembly where he was elected Deputy in 1976. He was the first mayor of Paris to be elected by universal suffrage in 1977. Jacques Chirac was then appointed Prime Minister in 1986 during the presidential term of Francois Mitterrand.

In 1995, Jacques Chirac was elected President of the Republic. In 2002, he was largely re-elected facing Jean-Marie Le Pen. In 2007, he decided not to stand for re-election and devoted himself to his foundation created in 2008. He passed away on September 26th, 2019 at the age of 86.

On the obverse of the coin, the politician has a solemn pose that refers to his election as President of the French Republic in 1995. Jacques Chirac is surrounded by symbols that have marked his history, such as his Seal, which refers to his two presidential mandates, and Chupicaro, emblem of the Quai Branly Museum, which refers to Jacques Chirac’s passion for Primitive Arts.