The Lion King — Hakuna Matata (gold 1/4 oz)

The Lion King is a feature-length animated film by Walt Disney Animation Studios, released in June 1994; it was directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff and produced by Don Hahn. It tells the story of the lion cub Simba, heir to the throne in the Pride Lands: his father, King Mufasa, dies as a result of a scheme by his own brother Scar, the boy flees in despair, finds new friends — the meerkat Timon and the warthog Pumbaa, who live by the motto “Hakuna Matata” (“no worries” in Swahili) — but returns as an adult to accept responsibility and restore harmony to the kingdom. This is exactly how the mint itself describes the film: a true journey of initiation in which the hero must overcome a tragic loss, forgive himself for his mistakes and take his rightful place. The music was written by Hans Zimmer, the songs by Elton John and Tim Rice; “Circle of Life”, “Hakuna Matata” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” have long lived on their own, and in 1995 the film won Academy Awards for its score and for the song “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”. The plot is often compared with Shakespeare’s Hamlet: a murdered king, a usurping uncle and an heir who must reclaim what is his. Later came a Broadway musical (1997), Jon Favreau’s live-action version (2019) and the film Mufasa: The Lion King (December 2024).

For the 30th anniversary of the premiere the Paris Mint (Monnaie de Paris) issued, under a Disney licence, the collection “Disney — The Lion King, 30th anniversary” (Le Roi Lion, 30ème anniversaire). According to the mint and the Numista catalogue it comprises seven coins: three silver 10-euro coins (a coloured .333 silver coin in a card, a coloured .999 silver “Hakuna Matata” coin and a rectangular uncoloured .999 silver coin), a five-ounce silver 50-euro coin and three gold coins of 5, 50 and 200 euros. The mint calls it a “new collection” celebrating the timeless heritage of Walt Disney, where the studio’s characters meet the age-old craftsmanship of the Monnaie de Paris; a separate miniset of the three new French 10, 20 and 50 euro-cent coins (mintage 500) was also released — it is not counted as a coin of the issue. The engraver of all the round coins of the collection, according to Numista, is Joaquin Jimenez, chief engraver of the Mint since 2020.

The gold 50 euros is a quarter ounce (7.78 grams) of .999 gold, diameter 22 millimetres, Belle Épreuve, mintage 500 pieces, mint price 1,430 euros. The coin is uncoloured: the “Hakuna Matata” subject is conveyed here by relief alone (Numista: N# 445283, KM# 3466). The “quarter ounce” format and a mintage of 500 are the Mint’s standard for the gold coins of its Disney collections, so the coin sits next to the gold 50 euros of the “Disney Animation Classics” series, which the mint began in 2025. It lies in a case with a certificate. The design is shared with the coloured silver 10 euros “Hakuna Matata”: the subject is the same, but the metal, weight, diameter and price differ, so this is a separate coin of the issue, not a variety.

Timon, Pumbaa and Simba sing “Hakuna Matata” — a song by Elton John and Tim Rice, performed in the film by Nathan Lane (Timon) and Ernie Sabella (Pumbaa); the Swahili phrase means “no worries”. It is the part of the film where the hero briefly forgets his duty — and this carefreeness prepares his return.

Obverse

The artistic side: Timon, Pumbaa and the young Simba; the inscription “HAKUNA MATATA !” and the year “2024”. Relief on the gold field, without colour.

Reverse

The official side shows Mufasa majestically rising above Lion’s Rock — a symbol of the strength and wisdom inherited by Simba. It also carries the face value “50 EURO”, the initials of the French Republic “RF”, the copyright mark “© Disney”, the Disney logo and the inscription “LE ROI LION”.