Prince's Palace of Monaco, the Grimaldi motto, Deo Juvante, is Latin for "With God's help", below.

The Prince's Palace of Monaco is the official residence of the Sovereign Prince of Monaco. Built in 1191 as a Genoese fortress, during its long and often dramatic history it has been bombarded and besieged by many foreign powers. Since the end of the 13th century, it has been the stronghold and home of the Grimaldi family who first captured it in 1297. The Grimaldi ruled the area first as feudal lords, and from the 17th century as sovereign princes, but their power was often derived from fragile agreements with their larger and stronger neighbours.

Thus while other European sovereigns were building luxurious, modern Renaissance and Baroque palaces, politics and common sense demanded that the palace of the Monegasque rulers be fortified. This unique requirement, at such a late stage in history, has made the palace at Monaco one of the most unusual in Europe. Indeed, when its fortifications were finally relaxed during the late 18th century, it was seized by the French and stripped of its treasures, and fell into decline, while the Grimaldi were exiled for over 20 years.

Value in front of mirrored "R" monogram of Rainier III. Country name above.

Date below surrounded by the mint (left) and privy (right) marks.

Mintmark of the Paris Mint: Cornucopia

Engraver general's privy mark:
• dolphin (Emile Rousseau , 1974-1994)
• bee (Pierre Rodier, 1994-2000)