Origin and meaning of the coat of arms of Monaco.

So here we have the Monacan franc, nominal - 100. The year of issue of this coin is 1950, mint: Paris, France. Total circulation – 500.000.

Lozengy gules and argent refers to the repetitive red and silver diamond pattern on the main shield. The meaning behind this particular lozenge points to individuals of noble birth, and accordingly, explain the origins of the House of Grimaldi as a high-ranking family in society.

The current-day relevance of this pattern for these sovereigns is rooted in their ancestor, Grimaldo Canella, whose armorial achievement consisted solely of the lozengy of gules and argent.

The significance of Grimaldo Canella as another core detail of this armorial achievement is rooted in his major role in the establishment of the Grimaldi name itself. Grimaldi as a surname began with the lozengy gules and argent shield, which has been carried through the generations to honour the beginning of this dynasty, while also being built upon as the family went from successful merchants to the sovereigns of Monaco. As indicated by this, the maintenance of this pattern as a central part of the Grimaldi armorial achievement shows a continuous acknowledgment of their ties to Genoese aristocracy alluding to the historical struggle of the region between rulers, and the eventual domination of the Grimaldi family over it.