Andorra and Andorran Coins

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Obverse of 1994 Andorran Silver Proof 10 Diners

Cycling Theme on Reverse of 1994 Andorran Silver Proof 10 Diners for 1996 Olympics

Two Heads of State are Better than One
Andorra was once part of the County of Urgell, and part of Catalonia before Spain was united. However, in 988 A.D. Borell II, Count of Urgell sold what is now Andorra to the Bishop of Urgell. Future Counts of Urgell however, tried to reclaim Andorra, and so in 1095, the Bishop of Urgell signed an agreement with the Lord of Caboet giving him co-sovereignty in exchange for military protection. The heirs of Lord Caboet later became the Counts of Foix, and this title passed down to the Kings of Navarre. When Henry III of Navarre became Henry IV of France in 1589, the title of co-sovereign of Andorra passed down to the Kings of France. An edict issued in 1607 decreed that whoever was the French head of state would be co-head of state of Andorra along with the Bishop of Urgell, and so today, the French President reigns as ‘co-prince’ of Andorra.

Napoleonic Wars
As Emperor of the French, Napoleon Bonaparte was already co-prince of Andorra. However, in 1812-13 Napoleon invaded Spain and annexed Catalonia. For the sake of administrative efficiency, Andorra’s autonomy was ignored and by the stroke of a pen, lumped in with one of the four Catalonian administrative districts. However, once Napoleon was evicted from the Spanish Peninsular, Andorra regained its autonomy, and has remained independent and sovereign ever since.

Recent History
In World War I, Andorra declared war on Imperial Germany, and this official state of war lasted until 1957 (despite which, the principality defiantly held out against the Nazi hordes that had conquered France in 1940). The Spanish Civil War caused France to occupy Andorra from 1936 to 1940 to spare it from the ravages of the conflict that was raging across Spain, but these troops were withdrawn following France’s defeat by Nazi Germany.
Andorra has since enjoyed a thriving economy thanks to the tourist industry borne of an increase in international travel. Since 1993, Andorra has been a member of the United Nations and Council of Europe (though not the European Union).

Andorran Coins
Andorra has never had its own currency. Instead, it has used the currency of its neighbours, namely France and Spain.
The introduction of the Euro in 2002, which Spain and France both adopted, gave Andorra a common currency and removed the need for prices to be quoted in two separate fluctuating currencies.
From 2013, Andorra will, despite not being an official member of the Eurozone, issue its own Euro coins for circulation. However, as a tiny country without much need for a large amount of currency, it is expected that, as with the Euro-coins of the Vatican, these coins will be taken out of circulation soon after their release by collectors.

For Sale and Wanted
If you are interested in coins from Andorra please see our product index:-
Andorran Coins

Gold Coins
We also have gold coins from Andorra on our taxfreegold website:-
Andorran Gold Coins