Antique 20 Francs Gold Coin

The French 20 Franc standing angel coins are very rare today, they were minted after the defeat of the Franco-Prussian War between 1871 and 1898.

It is one of the historically interesting coins, as it shows a "winged genius" on the obverse, a design by Augustin Dupre.

The famous 20-franc angel who wrote the first French constitution of 1793 on a tablet.

The 20-franc gold coin shows the coinage of the Republique Francaise and the standing angel (Genius). With their 900‰ gold alloy, 20-franc gold coins are among the most sought-after collector coins today.

Obverse:

The standing angel, to his left are bundled branches and to his right is the Gallic rooster.

Inscription: REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE

Reverse:

In the centre is the face value and the year of issue, surrounded by a wreath of oak leaves.

Inscription: LIBERTE EGALITE FRATERNITE,

The name "20 Francs" already gives it away. It is a so-called circulation coin. Due to their purpose, circulation coins passed through thousands of hands, as they were active means of payment.

Today, with their typical fineness of > 90% fine gold, they are marvelous investment coins. It is only from this high fineness that gold coins from the former monetary transactions are still exempt from VAT when purchased today. At that time, around 5% copper was added to the fine gold in the production of gold coins worldwide in order to make them more resistant to hard currency use.

Traces of use are also typical of circulation coins and are part and parcel of genuine circulation coins.

Coin details:

Country of origin: France

Coin weight: 6,45 gr (0,22 ounces)

Fineness: 900‰

Fine weight: 5,81 grams (0,20 ounces)

Face value: 20 French francs

Diameter: approx. 21 mm (0,82 inch)

Thickness: approx. 1,30 mm (0,051 inch)

Year of issue: 1875