Even though most were minted well over 100 years ago, 20 Francs Gold Coins continue to be one of the most popular fractional gold coins today.
The 20 Francs Gold Coin began as a French coin in 1800 during the First Empire. The first coins were struck in Turin while it was under French control following the Battle of Marengo. The coin featured a helmeted soldier facing left wearing a laurel wreath upon his head.
In 1803, the Napoleon coin was introduced by Napoleon Bonaparte. The obverse of the coin featured a left facing bust of Napoleon I surrounded by the words “BONAPARTE PREMIER CONSUL”.
Latin Monetary Union
During the first half of the 19th century, the 20 Franc Napoleon gold coin circulated throughout France. By the mid 1800’s, Napoleon III, the nephew of Napoleon I envisioned a unified Europe. By treaty on December 23, 1865, France, Belgium, Italy and Switzerland formed the Latin Monetary Union (LMU).
A unified currency was created by the LMU that would be used for trade and recognized by all four countries. The new currency implemented by the LMU would be a bimetallism standard based on the French Franc. Each LMU Franc represented 4.5 grams of fine silver or .290322 grams of fine gold.
Several years later, Greece joined the original four countries in the treaty. Spain and Romania considered joining and made attempts to conform their currency to LMU standards. Austria-Hungary rejected bimetallism and refused to join, but later signed a treaty with France to mint some of their gold currency to LMU standards.
By 1873, the LMU had moved to a gold standard due to increasing silver imports dampening prices.
LMU member countries were responsible for the minting of millions of 20 Franc gold coins. Today, the most popular of these coins are:
- 20 Francs Helvetia (Swiss)
- 20 Francs Rooster (French)
- 20 Francs Napoleon III (French)
- 20 Francs Lucky Angel (French)
- 8 Florins/20 Francs (Austria-Hungary)
Other common variations of the 20 Francs that are common to find to buy for a low premium over spot price include 20 Francs from Belgium and 20 Lira Gold Coins from Italy.
