An exhibition of French copper medals opened at the China Numismatic Museum here Thursday. A silver commemorative coin for the Chinese and French Culture Years was issued at the opening ceremony.

The exhibition displays more than four hundred copper medals made by the Monnaie de Paris. The medals, which display a variety of subjects, including famous French historical personages, enchanting scenes of French cities and some well-known French art images, such as "The Fifer" by Manet, are a vivid expression of France.

Minister-Counselor of the French Embassy in China Paul Jean-Ortiz said he hopes that the exhibition can help Chinese visitors know better of France.

"The French medals embody the consummate skills, romantic arts and diversified styles of the French mint, which provide us a good opportunity for exchanges and learning," said Wu Xiaoling, Vice Governor of the People's Bank of China.

The Monnaie de Paris also issued ten thousand commemorative silver coins globally for the Chinese Culture Year and the French Culture Year held respectively in France and China.

The silver coin, with a diameter of 37 millimeters and a weight of 22.2 grams, is valued as one quarter of a Euro. On its obverse side, there are a dragon and a rooster representing China and France respectively. On its reverse side there are pictures of the Tian An Men, the Great Wall, the Temple of Heaven, the Eiffel Tower and the Saint Michel Mountain. "2003-2004 Chinese Cultural Year in France" and "2004-2005 French Cultural Year in China" are written in Chinese and French respectively on the two sides.
 
(Xinhua News Agency November 26, 2004)