The Paneuropean Union
The International Paneuropean Union claims to be the oldest European unification movement and is also referred to as the Paneuropean Movement and the Pan-Europa Movement. It began with the publishing of Count Richard Coudenhove-Kalergi's manifesto Paneuropa (1923), which presented the idea of a unified European State.
The stated goal of the organisation is the unity of a Christian Europe, free of "nihilism, atheism and immoral consumerism".[1] It is independent of all political parties, but has set principles by which it appraises politicians, parties and institutions. The International Paneuropean Union has four main basic principles: libertarianism, Christianity, social responsibility and pro-Europeanism.
Some famous members were Thomas Mann, Franz Werfel, Salvador de Madariaga, Charles de Gaulle, Aristide Briand, Konrad Adenauer, Franz Josef Strauß, Bruno Kreisky and Georges Pompidou [2]. It was prohibited by Nazi Germany in 1933, and was founded again after the Second World War.
Otto von Habsburg, the current head of the Habsburg dynasty, became the International Honorary President of the International Paneuropean Union after Coudenhove's death in 1973. The last President of the Union - since 2004 - is Alain Terrenoire, Director of the French Paneuropa-Union.
The Union has branches in many European countries, with the General Secretariat located in Munich.

Paneuropean Union Gold Coins
Coins issued by the Paneuropean Union have no legal tender status, and should not strictly be called coins. It is possible that medallions would be a better description. or medallic coins.
As they seem to have been issued partially to illustrate how future Ecu or Euro coins might appear, they could be classed as unofficial "pattern" coins, or fantasy pieces.

Description
Many designs or motifs promoted by the Paneuropean Union have been quite prophetic. The "E" symbol , with its two horizontal bars on these coins, appear very similar to the € euro symbol which was not decided upon until many years later, and not issued until 2002.
The coat of arms and flag of the "Union" was a red cross in a gold circle, with twelve gold stars around, all on a dark blue background. The flag eventually chosen by the EU consisted of its emblem of 12 gold stars on a dark blue background.

Obverse
The obverse of each coin has a large Paneuropean Union emblem, the cross and stars as described above, but with heraldic colouring. The value is shown below this, then the date 1972. The retrograde legend reads:-
CONFOEDERATIO EUROPAEA
There are also mintmarks 1AR for Gori & Zucchi (Uno A Erre), "900" the gold fineness, "ni" which may stand for Numismatica International.

There is also a serial number (636) on our example of the 100 Ecu, but not on the other coins.

Reverses
€100 - Three conjoined portraits facing right, with the names:-
K. ADENAEUR - A DE GASPARI - R. SCHUMAN

€50 - Two conjoined portraits facing right, with the legend:-
WINSTON CHURCHILL - EDWARD HEATH

€20 - Two conjoined portraits, and the names:-
JEAN MONNET - PAUL HENRI SPAAK

Facing portrait of:-
RICHARD DE COUDENHOVE - KALERGI

Unusual World Coins
The coins in this set are listed in the book "Unusual World Coins" by Krause, a companion volume to The Standard Catalog of World Coins.
There is a certificate, numbered 341, with our set, which is housed in a pale blue velour box with pale lemon interior.

Technical Specifications

Denomination	Diameter	Weight	Fineness	Gold Content
100 Ecus	37.5	30.0000	.900	.8680
50 Ecus	29.5	15.0000	.900	.4340
20 Ecus	21.5	6.0000	.900	.1736
10 Ecus	17.5	3.0000	.900	.0868
Set of 4 Coins		54.0000	.900	1.5624

Notes on Table
Weight = Weight in grams.
Gold Content = Fine gold content in troy ounces.

Prices & Availability

Date	Denomination	Description	Grade	Issue Limit	Availability	Price £	Price $
1972	4 Coin Set in Box	1922 - 1972 Fiftieth Anniversary of Paneuropean Union	Proof, about FDC	10,000	Yes	£750	$1,495

Postage & Packing
UK Registered Post (Special Delivery) £5 per order
EU Insured Post £10 per order
USA Airmail $10 per order
USA Insured Shipping by Fedex $40 per order

Belgian Silver and Base Metal Coins
For silver and base metal coins of Belgium, please look at our original Chard Coins website.

Coins Wanted
We make an active market in almost all world coins, gold or otherwise, including Belgian gold coins, whether listed on this page or not. If you have any of these coins to sell, please contact us, or post them to us for appraisal and offer.