Gold Francs
Gold Francs were once the backbone of the economy of France, then later the entire Latin Monetary Union. 20 francs are recognized by investors as one of the lowest premium fractional gold coins. Beyond the low premiums, benefits of these coins include: true scarcity, high investor demand and genuine historical significance.
Quick Facts About Gold Francs
The Latin Monetary Union was a treaty between many European nations to unify under a common currency gold-standard that was derived from the French Franc. It was the historic predecessor of the Euro currency that ended around the outbreak of World War I.
Millions of 20 francs gold coins were minted by member countries throughout the last half of the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Many of these historic gold coins have survived more than 150 years and continue to be used as a store of value and wealth. Each 20 Francs gold coin was minted according to the exact standards described in the treaty.
These are one of the most popular gold bullion coins with investors, preppers, collectors and stackers who use fractional gold as a store of wealth.
History of Gold Franc Coins
Gold francs are steeped in the history of 19th century France. During the colonial period, the gold franc was once a major international currency. Coins minted of both gold and silver were circulating throughout much of Europe, Africa and the Americas.
Napoleon I of France re-introduced the gold franc in 1803. The franc standard included six denominations of gold coins; 5, 10 francs, 20 francs, 40, 50 and 100 Francs. Each was struck from planchets minted of .900 fine gold.
Use of the French franc was far and wide across Europe following the Napoleonic Wars. Some of the 20 Francs coins from the early 1800s were struck at mints in Italy and the Netherlands all bearing the French Franc currency. During the 1860s, European leaders began to recognize the importance of having mutually agreed upon standards for international trade.
The Latin Monetary Union (LMU) was codified in a treaty agreement between France, Belgium, Italy and Switzerland in 1865. The leading purpose of the was the provide a way to facilitate international trade in a standard way on a bimetalism standard. The standard used coins minted from gold for larger denominations with smaller denomination coins minted of silver.
In the years that followed, additional countries joined the treated and their mints' began producing coins that adhered to the treaty standards.
The standards allowed member countries to continue minting and circulating their own currency while still be able to participate in international trade with other member nations using a fixed gold-to-silver ratio.
The initial gold-to-silver ratio was established of 15.5 to 1. This meant that a single LMU Franc unit was represented by 4.5 grams of fine silver or .290322 grams of fine gold.
Beginning in 1873, the LMU moved away from the bimetalism standard and eliminated the use of silver. The gold standard was continued with a fixed value of 1 franc = 0.290322581 grams of gold.
These coins were legal tender at the time they were minted. These unique fractional gold coins offer just a glimpse into the history of where these coins may have circulated.
The financial hardships in Europe that followed World War I eventually led to the breakup and the Union was officially disbanded in 1927.
Coins like these are readily identifiable and simple to verify from various coin books and references, both online and offline. Although these coin are sold as bullion for the intrinsic value of their gold composition, some may also have numismatic to collectors.
Gold Francs afford the opportunity to buy historic gold coins that are worth considerably more now than when they were minted.
All of the franc denominated gold coins are minted with 90% pure gold. Having even a small stack of gold francs can provide a significant amount of financial security.
20 Francs Gold Coins
The most widely available and most popular is the 20 Francs Gold Coin and have an overall nominal weight of 6.45 grams with a diameter of 21mm. The alloy adds a small amount of copper to provide strength and rigidity that allowed the coins to endure circulation.
Gold coins meeting these specifications were produced by countries throughout Europe. Variations of the Gold 20 Franc included the Swiss 20 Franc, Belgian 20 Franc, Spanish 20 Peseta, Greek 20 drachma, Austria 8 florins, Hungarian 8 forint and the Italian 20 lira.All of these coins have the same physical characteristics and make an excellent store of value and wealth.
They have become one the most popular fractional gold coins on the market because they have significantly lower premiums than newly minted gold coins. Being of similar dimensions to the quarter coin makes it easy to store these coins in the same tubes that are used for storing junk silver.
For investors, buying Random Year 20 Franc is the most logical choice for those looking for the lowest premium on fractional gold coins. They are highly sought after because they are at a price point that is affordable many.
Oftentimes dealers will have inventory of coins from a specified country and maybe a range of dates. These coins are often sold to collectors at higher premiums. Random Year 20 francs gold coin have a lower premium over spot price than when you choose one from a specific country. Today's monetary worth of a 20 franc gold coin is primarily based on the intrinsic gold value.
Other denominations of the Gold Franc were minted and circulated; including the 5 Francs, 10 Franc Gold Coin, 40 Franc Gold Coin and 100 Franc Gold Coin.
Common Denominations of Gold Francs Coins
The standards defined by the Latin Monetary Union had been on standards introduced by Napoleon I in 1803. The gold franc was struck in .900 fine gold with denominations of 5, 10, 20, 40, 50 and 100 Francs. The remaining 10% of the alloy was designated to be 10% copper.
5 Francs Gold Coin
The 5 Francs Gold Coins are the smallest denomination. Each 5 Francs gold coin contains .0471 troy ounces of fine gold. Popular amongst collectors, these coin are less common than other denominations and many examples can carry a significant premium over melt value.
The 5 francs coin was minted in two sizes, each containing the same amount of gold. Some 5 francs coins are 14.4mm, others are 16.7mm in diameter. The gross weight is 1.629 grams.
10 Francs Gold Coin
The 10 Francs Gold Coins have become more popular amongst investors as they occasionally pop up in secondary markets like eBay with a low premium over melt value. Though, numismatic premiums can make these less attractive for stacking.
Each 10 Francs coin has a gross weight of 3.2258 grams and contains .0933 troy ounces of gold. The diameter of the coin is 19mm and .8mm thick.
20 Francs Gold Coin
The 20 Franc Gold Coin is the most popular denomination in this coin series. Random Year Gold 20 Francs coins are highly sought after by bullion investors, preppers and anyone who want to buy fractional gold to own as an asset.
Each 20 Francs gold coin weighs a total of 6.45 grams, of which, 5.806 grams is pure gold. The remaining .644 grams being copper to provide strength and durability for the coins during circulation.
All 20 Francs gold coins are 21mm diameter.
A large number of countries participating in the LMU during periods of colonial expansion. Many different designs of the 20 Francs Gold Coin were minted. As these are circulated coins that offer little numismatic value. These coins are perfect to hoard as a store of wealth.
40 Francs Gold Coin
The 40 Francs Gold Coins, like many of the larger denominations are less commonly found as bullion items. Less of these coins were minted giving them some scarcity and rarity. These coins are popular amongst collectors. Some investors have been able to leverage coin auctions to improve the return on investment of some graded specimens.
The 40 franc gold coin was minted from 1854 to 1889. The coin is 26mm in diameter and has a gross weight of 12.9 grams.
50 Francs Gold Coin
The 50 Francs Gold Coins are popular amongst collectors and investors. These coin are less common than other denominations and many examples can carry a significant premium over melt value.
The 50 franc gold coin was first struck in 1852, which would make it one of France's oldest coins.
The early years of these gold coins were marked by production from three different mints: Paris, Lyon and Nancy. Production from all three mint locations continued until 1928.
Production of the 50 francs was discontinued in 1928 but are still very much in demand with collectors, as recent auction prices show.
The 50 francs gold coin has a gross weight of 16.129 grams and contains .4667 troy ounces of gold. These coins are 28mm in diameter and 1.8mm thick.
100 Francs Gold Coin
The 100 Francs Gold Coins are growing in popularity amongst collectors and investors. These coin are less common than other denominations and many examples can carry a significant premium over melt value. Similar in size to U.S. $20 double eagles.
The first 100 franc gold coin was minted in France in 1801. The 100 franc coins were issued again in 1848. The denomination was reestablished in 1967 for commemorative coins.
The gross weight of these coins is 32.2581 grams with approximately .9334 troy ounces of gold. The diameter is 35mm and these coins are 2.3mm thick.
Popular 20 Francs Gold Coins
The 20 Francs Gold Coin is one of the most popular fractional gold coin amongst investors, preppers and stackers primarily because of the intrinsic value of the gold. These are a very popular way to store wealth without taking up much space.
Regardless of the country that minted the coin, each 20 Francs contains .1867 troy ounces of gold.
French Napoleon III 20 Franc Gold Coins
20 Francs Napoleon III Coin Highlights:- Minted from 1852-1870
- Fineness: .900
- Actual Gold Weight: .1867 troy ounce
Napoleon III (1808-1873) was the nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte and Emperor of France from 1852 to 1870. His leadership was undermined by a sequence of political mishaps, including rifts with the Vatican and the French business community.
In the War of 1870, he met defeat by the Prussians due to their superior military tactics combined with political disunity throughout France. Within days of being defeated in the War of 1870, Napoleon III was unseated and he fled to England to live in exile where he died.
French Angel 20 Franc Gold Coins
20 Francs "Lucky Angel" Gold Coin Highlights:- Minted from 1870-1898
- Fineness: .900
- Actual Gold Weight: .1867 troy ounce
The French Angel Gold Coin, minted from 1871 to 1898, is one of the most actively pursued by investors and collectors. Commonly referred to as the "Lucky Angel", originally designed by Augustin Dupre in the late 18th century, the design was resurrected in 1871.
20 Franc Rooster
The French Rooster gold coins were struck by the Paris mint from 1899 until 1914. The obverse contains a bust portrait of Marianne France, a female personification of the values represented by the French Republic: Liberty, Equality, Fraternity.
20 Francs Gold Rooster Details:- Minted from 1899-1914 with .1867 ozt of gold
- Obverse: Bust of Marianna
- Reverse: The Gallic Rooster, le coq gaulois.
- Fineness: .900
Switzerland (Swiss) Helvetia 20 Franc Gold Coins
Swiss 20 Francs Gold Helvetia Coin Highlights:- Minted from 1897-1930
- Fineness: .900
- Actual Gold Weight: .1867 troy ounce
Switzerland has been a renowned commercial and banking facility for hundreds of years. The concept of modern banking is said to have originated with Switzerland by descendants of the Templar Knights that were exiled from France during the 14th century. They are also known for having some of the most well known private mints in the world. This includes such names as PAMP Suisse, Valcambi and Credit Suisse, among others.
The Swiss 20-Franc Helvetia is referred to informally as the 'Vreneli', which derived from 'Verena', that is Switzerland's equivalent to Lady Liberty.
The coin depicts Vreneli in the obverse with the word 'Helvetia' written above her hair. On the reverse is an image of the Swiss Cross surrounded by a shield.
How to buy the cheapest Gold Francs
FindBullionPrices.com compares precious metals prices from trusted and reputable online bullion dealers to help you find the lowest prices on Gold Francs. The prices on our site are updated hourly and adjusted for gold spot price. This gives you the tools to compare gold prices.
We help find the best prices for the cheapest Gold Francs when you're ready to buy.
You can find a large variety of gold coins at FindBullionPrices.com. If we don't list prices for something you're looking for Contact Us and let us know so we can add it.
Compare Gold Francs prices
We compare prices of Gold Francs from top-reviewed and trusted bullion dealers. Our product listings compare the online prices to help you buy the cheapest Gold Francs.
