Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 250 Francs 2018, Djibouti, The Three Musketeers, Aramis
  • 250 Francs 2018, Djibouti, The Three Musketeers, Aramis
Description

"The Three Musketeers" (French: "Les Trois Mousquetaires," is a French historical adventure novel penned in 1844 by the esteemed French author Alexandre Dumas. Similar to some of his other literary creations, Dumas collaborated with ghostwriter Auguste Maquet in its creation. Falling into the swashbuckler genre, it showcases heroic and chivalrous swordsmen who champion justice.

Set amidst the years 1625 to 1628, the narrative chronicles the exploits of a youth named d'Artagnan, a character inspired by Charles de Batz-Castelmore d'Artagnan. Departing from his home to journey to Paris with hopes of joining the Musketeers of the Guard, d'Artagnan finds himself initially unable to secure a position within this esteemed corps. Nonetheless, he befriends three of the era's most formidable musketeers – Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, commonly referred to as "the three musketeers" or "the three inseparables" – and becomes embroiled in political and courtly affairs.

Although primarily categorized as a historical adventure novel, "The Three Musketeers" also serves as a platform through which Dumas frequently exposes various injustices, abuses, and absurdities prevalent during the Ancien Régime. This lends the novel additional political significance, especially given its publication during a period of fervent debate in France between republicans and monarchists. Serialized from March to July 1844 during the July Monarchy, it preceded the French Revolution of 1848, which established the Second Republic by four years.

The saga of d'Artagnan continues in subsequent novels, "Twenty Years After" and "The Vicomte of Bragelonne: Ten Years Later."

Obverse

Depicts the national arms within the wreath, country name in French above, Denomination, metal, purity and weight below.

Djibouti adopted its national emblem upon gaining independence from France on June 27, 1977. The emblem features laurel branches on the sides and encloses a vertical spear with a shield in front. Below the shield, two hands holding large machetes represent the nation's main ethnic groups, the Afar and the Issa. At the top of the spear is a red star, symbolizing unity between the Issa and Afar peoples.

REPUBLIQUE DE DJIBOUTI
250 FRANCS
1 oz FINE SILVER .999

Reverse

Depicts Aramis in front of a palace and leaned on his sword adorned in the customary attire of a musketeer, consisting of blue cassocks extending to mid-thigh adorned with a white/silver cross on the front, back, and sleeves. He wears a headdress, with his name positioned above, the date below on the right, and the emblem of the three musketeers below on the left.

Aramis, also known as René d'Herblay, is depicted as a striking young man torn between his religious vocation and his allure for women and intrigue.

René d'Herblay, under the guise of Aramis, is a character within Alexandre Dumas, père's novels "The Three Musketeers" (1844), "Twenty Years After" (1845), and "The Vicomte de Bragelonne" (1847–1850). Alongside his companions Athos and Porthos, he forms part of the close-knit circle around the protagonist, d'Artagnan. This portrayal of Aramis draws inspiration from the historical figure Henri d'Aramitz, though it is largely fictionalized.

Aramis
2018

Edge -
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Silver
Fineness 0.999
Weight 31.89 g
Diameter 40 mm
Width -
Height -
Thickness -
Shape square
Alignment Coin

Related coins

Athos

The Three Musketeers

Silver, 31.89 g, ⌀ 40 mm
D'Artagnan

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Silver, 31.89 g, ⌀ 40 mm
Porthos

The Three Musketeers

Silver, 31.89 g, ⌀ 40 mm