20 Francs France

The French 20 franc gold coin is one of the most well-known and widely traded historical gold coins in Europe. The coin is composed of 90% gold (21.6 carat) and contains 5.81 grams of pure gold, with a total weight of 6.45 grams. Thanks to its practical size, strong recognition and relatively low premium, the 20 franc is considered an attractive and accessible gold investment coin for both beginning and experienced investors.

The French 20 Franc gold coin was issued as a circulation coin during the 19th and early 20th centuries, making it a tangible piece of French history. Depending on availability, we supply various types, including the popular Napoleon issues and the Gallic Rooster (Le Coq). Both designs are characterized by their detailed craftsmanship and historical appearance, which makes this coin highly sought after by collectors. It is not possible to determine in advance which coin you will receive.

A wise choice

Because we purchase French 20 franc coins from private individuals, you do not pay production costs as you would with newly minted investment coins. This allows us to offer these classic coins at a competitive price per gram of gold, often more attractive than small gold bars. With their fixed gold content of 5.81 grams and relatively low weight, they provide a flexible and affordable alternative to modern one-troy-ounce gold investment coins.

Delivery and packaging

• Insured shipping or collection by appointment in Alkmaar, Rotterdam or Tilburg
• Each coin individually packaged in a protective plastic coin sleeve
• Secure and insured storage available through Holland Gold Safe

Why choose the French 20 Franc

• 21.6 carat gold (90% purity)
• Recognized worldwide
• Competitive price per gram of gold
• Classic and historic design (including Napoleon)

Design

The design of the French 20 franc gold coin began in 1803, when it was first minted under Napoleon I. For more than a century, both the obverse and reverse changed with each new ruler, featuring portraits of figures such as Napoleon I, Louis XVIII, Charles X, Louis-Philippe I and Napoleon III. During this period, the reverse displayed a variety of motifs, ranging from the imperial coat of arms to an eagle or a classical wreath.

In 1899, the French Republic introduced a uniform and easily recognizable design that gave the 20 franc its iconic appearance. From that moment on, the obverse features Marianne, while the reverse depicts the proud Gallic Rooster, accompanied by the motto Liberté – Égalité – Fraternité. This design remained unchanged until 1914 and became the most popular edition within the series.

Despite the variation in portraits and symbolism, the technical specifications always remained identical. Due to the standardization of the Latin Monetary Union, every French 20 Franc weighs 6.45 grams, contains 5.81 grams of pure gold (90% purity) and has a diameter of 21 mm. The coins were struck at various French mints, but thanks to these fixed standards, all 20 franc coins are fully interchangeable and highly tradable internationally.

Price and resale value

Would you like to sell your gold coins? Holland Gold offers a buyback guarantee for this coin. We also purchase coins that were not originally bought from us. On our website, under the section “sell to us,” you can see the price we pay for this coin.