FrenchGoldCoins.info
The 19th century saw the rise of French gold coins and the establishment of France as a key player in European finance, particularly with the development of the Latin Monetary Union.
In the early 1800s, France went through significant monetary reforms under the rule of Napoleon Bonaparte which included the introduction of the French gold coin known as the Napoléon.
This coin contained 20 francs in gold and was part of a broader effort to stabilize the French currency after the chaotic monetary system of the Revolution.
The Napoléon gold coin had standardized weight and purity: it was minted at 6.45 grams with a fineness of 90% gold. Alongside the 20 franc coin, a 40 franc gold coin was also issued.
These coins were a physical manifestation of France’s shift toward a stable currency, and they became widely used both in France and internationally.
After the fall of Napoleon, the minting of gold coins continued during the various regimes that followed, including the Bourbon Restoration, the July Monarchy, and the Second Empire under Napoleon III.
The design and issuance of these gold coins remained largely consistent in terms of weight and purity, maintaining the confidence of both domestic and international users.
French Gold Coins
20 Francs Rooster
The 20 Francs Rooster was minted from 1899 to 1914, featuring the image of a Gallic Rooster, or “Le Coq Gaulois.” It was issued as part of the Third French Republic.
20 Francs Lucky Angel
The 20 Francs Lucky Angel, often referred to as the “Angel Coin”, was minted from 1871 to 1898 during the period from the Third French Republic.
20 Francs Napoleon III
The 20 Francs Napoleon III was minted from 1852 to 1870. These coins were widely circulated during the 19th century.
20 Francs Ceres
The 20 Francs Ceres was minted during the Second French Republic (1848–1852) and later under the French Third Republic. The coin is named after Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture, whose profile appears on the obverse side of the coin.
20 Francs Louis XVIII
The 20 Francs Louis XVIII was minted during the reign of King Louis XVIII, who ruled from 1814 to 1824, with a brief interruption during Napoleon’s Hundred Days in 1815. This coin is part of the Louis d’Or series and was continued through various French kings.
20 Francs Louis Philippe I
The 20 Francs Louis Philippe I was minted during the reign of King Louis Philippe I, from 1830 to 1848. Louis Philippe, known as the “Citizen King,” came to power following the July Revolution of 1830, which deposed the Bourbon King Charles X.