A Numismatic and Historical Treasure
The 20-franc coin, introduced in 1803 under the leadership of Napoleon Bonaparte, was part of an ambitious monetary reform aimed at modernizing the French economy after the Revolution. This reform, codified by the law of 7 Germinal Year XI (March 28, 1803) under the Consulate, laid the foundations of the French monetary system for decades to come.
The technical specifications of the coin were carefully defined: a fineness of 900 thousandths gold, a weight of 6.45 grams (of which 5.805 grams were pure gold), a diameter of 21 mm, and a thickness of 1.3 mm. Designed to replace the louis d’or, the 20-franc Napoléon coin quickly became a cornerstone of the French economy, embodying the transition from monarchy to empire.
European Expansion: The Influence of the Latin Union
Beyond French borders, the 20-franc Napoléon coin played a key role on the European monetary scene thanks to the Latin Union, a monetary union created in 1865. This alliance, bringing together France, Belgium, Italy, Switzerland, and later Greece, aimed to harmonize the monetary systems of member countries. The Napoléon gold coins, with their standardized characteristics, were perfectly aligned with the criteria of the Latin Union, facilitating their circulation throughout Europe. This standardization not only strengthened the international stature of the 20-franc Napoléon coin but also inspired other countries to adopt this model for their currencies, such as the 20-franc Vreneli in Switzerland or the Marengo lira in Italy.
Minted without interruption until 1914, the 20-franc Napoléon coin evolved with French political regimes: from the profile of Napoleon I to the effigies of Louis XVIII, Charles X, Louis-Philippe, and Napoleon III. Under republican regimes, royal effigies were replaced by republican symbols, reflecting the ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity.
Chronology of Gold Coins
20 Francs Ceres (Minted: 1849 - 1851)
The 20-francs Cérès was produced for only three years, from 1849 to 1851. This coin was introduced under the Second French Republic, which came into being after the abdication of King Louis-Philippe I in favor of his grandson. However, the Second Republic was short-lived, abolished in 1851 by Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte, who then became emperor, marking the beginning of the Second Empire.
The obverse of the Cérès coin features the effigy of Cérès, the Roman goddess of agriculture and fertility, symbolizing abundance and prosperity. Her image, crowned with ears of wheat, embodies agricultural wealth and the deep connection between the earth and life. The reverse bears the motto "Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité," a legacy of the French Revolution.
Gold Coins of Napoleon III
- Louis Napoléon Bonaparte (Strikes: 1852)
The coin minted under Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte shows his effigy surrounded by the inscription ‘Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte’. The reverse shows the face value ‘20 francs’ in the centre of a laurel wreath, with the inscription ‘République française’ around it.
- Napoleon bareheaded (Hits: 1853 - 1860)
Minted between 1853 and 1860, the ‘Napoléon Tête Nue’ coin features the inscription ‘Napoléon III Empereur’ on the obverse and ‘Empire Français’ on the reverse, affirming the imperial nature of the regime.
- Napoleon Head Laurel (Strikes: 1861 - 1870)
The ‘Napoléon Tête Laurée’ coin, issued from 1861 to 1870, shows the emperor with a laurel wreath on the obverse. This symbol, inherited from Roman tradition, anchors Napoleon III in a prestigious imperial lineage, reinforcing his legitimacy. The reverse features imperial symbols such as the eagle, crown and sceptre, all surrounded by the inscription ‘Empire Français’.
20 Francs Ange/Génie (mintage: 1871 - 1898)
Génie’ gold coins, also known as “Ange”, were first conceived in 1791 under the First French Republic, and minted for the first time in 1848 and 1849. Production was interrupted during the reign of Napoleon III, then resumed after the fall of the Empire under the Third Republic, from 1871 to 1898.
The obverse of the ‘Ange’ gold coin is dominated by the allegorical figure of a winged Genie, sometimes called ‘Angel’. This Genie is depicted standing, in the act of engraving a constitution on a tablet placed on a pedestal. He embodies the Republic and French revolutionary ideals. The reverse of the coin features the face value ‘20 Francs’ in the centre, surrounded by a laurel wreath, the symbol of victory and glory. Surrounding the wreath is the inscription ‘LIBERTÉ ÉGALITÉ FRATERNITÉ’, the motto of the French Republic.
Anecdote
There is a legend surrounding the Ange coin: its creator, Augustin Dupré, is said to have escaped the guillotine during the Terror thanks to the coin he was wearing. Rumour has it that the blade of the guillotine didn't fall, saving his life. Although this story is unlikely, it is more plausible that he managed to bribe his guard with the coin to obtain his freedom. Nevertheless, this story has contributed to the coin's reputation as a good luck charm. Some even claim that Napoleon Bonaparte's defeat at Waterloo was due to the loss of his Ange coin, which had previously brought him good luck.
20 Franc Marianne Coq (mintage: 1899 - 1914)
The 20 franc ‘Marianne Coq’ coin is one of the most emblematic of the Third Republic. Minted between 1899 and 1914, this gold coin is not only a testament to France's monetary history, but also a popular investment for numismatists.
The obverse of the coin is dominated by the effigy of Marianne, a powerful symbol of the French Republic. Marianne wears a Phrygian cap adorned with a laurel wreath, evoking victory and freedom. The Phrygian cap, traditionally associated with the French Revolution, embodies the ideals of freedom and rebellion against oppression. The engraving of Marianne is surrounded by the inscription ‘République Française’, affirming the republican values that the coin represents.
The reverse of the coin features a majestic Gallic cockerel, another French national symbol, standing proudly on its legs. The rooster, an emblem of vigilance and courage, is depicted realistically, with finely detailed feathers. It is surrounded by the inscription ‘Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité’, the motto of the French Republic, inscribed in an arc. Below the rooster is the face value ‘20 Fcs’ and the year of mintage.
Refrappes Pinay
The ‘Marianne Coq’ coin is also notable for having been re-struck between 1951 and 1960, during what are known as the ‘Pinay re-strikes’. After the Second World War, gold stocks had been melted down or damaged, and the Banque de France decided to reopen the gold market to stimulate the economy. To do so, it put this emblematic coin back into circulation, using the original dies and reusing the mintages engraved between 1907 and 1914. In all, 37 million 20 franc ‘Marianne Coq’ gold coins were recirculated.
Conclusion
An exploration of French 20 franc gold coins reveals not only the historical and symbolic richness of these numismatic objects, but also their central role in the monetary and political evolution of France. From the 20-franc Napoleon coin, introduced by Napoleon Bonaparte to stabilise and modernise the French economy, to the ‘Génie’ and ‘Cérès’ coins that bear witness to the upheavals of the Republicans, via the various issues under Napoleon III and the famous ‘Marianne Coq’ of the Third Republic, each of these coins tells a unique story.
In short, Napoleonic gold coins are much more than just coins; they are precious witnesses to French history, reflecting the country's political and economic transformations. Their symbolic richness, artistic value and numismatic importance continue to fascinate collectors and investors, making these coins timeless treasures of French heritage.
