The 20 Francs Rooster (also known as the 20 Francs Marianne Rooster) is a famous French gold coin minted during the Third French Republic from 1899 to 1914. It is one of the most recognizable and widely traded gold coins in the world due to its beautiful design and historical significance.
Key Features of the 20 Francs Rooster:
Design
- Obverse: The obverse features a portrait of Marianne, a symbol of the French Republic, adorned with a Phrygian cap of liberty. This representation of Marianne symbolizes freedom and the French revolutionary spirit.
- Reverse: The reverse showcases a majestic Gallic Rooster (Le Coq Gaulois), which is a national symbol of France, standing proudly. The rooster symbolizes vigilance, courage, and the French nation’s resilience.
- Around the reverse design, the words “Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité” (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity) are inscribed, reflecting France’s national motto.
Specifications
- Composition: 90% gold (0.900 fineness)
- Actual Gold Weight (AGW): 0.1867 troy ounces
- Diameter: 21 mm
- Weight: 6.45 grams
Minting Period
- Minted from 1899 to 1914, with a few restrikes in the 1920s due to high demand for gold coins.
Historical Context
The 20 Francs Rooster was issued during the Third French Republic, a period of political stability following the fall of the Second Empire under Napoleon III. The coin was part of the Latin Monetary Union, a currency agreement between several European nations that standardized the weights and measures of gold and silver coins.
Collectibility and Investment Value
- The 20 Francs Rooster is popular among both collectors and investors because of its beauty, historical significance, and gold content. It is often seen as an affordable way to invest in gold because of its relatively small size and premium over spot gold prices.
- While its value is primarily tied to the price of gold, coins in better condition or with rarer dates may command higher premiums.
Conclusion
The 20 Francs Rooster coin is an iconic symbol of French history and is valued both for its artistic depiction of Marianne and the Gallic Rooster and for its role as a reliable store of value. It remains a favorite among collectors and gold investors alike, offering a mix of historical significance, beauty, and gold content.