20 French francs | Napoleon

 

The French Napoleon coin was first minted in 1802 under the administration of Napoleon I Bonaparte; originally as the First Consul of France and from 1804 as Emperor of the French. This coin was produced until 1815, when Napoleon I Bonaparte was sent into exile to Saint Helena after his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo.

 

Only 37 years later, in 1852, when Napoleon III Bonaparte came to power in France, gold Napoleon coins were minted again. These would remain in circulation until his overthrow in 1870. The 20 FF - Napoleon, along with the other 20 French francs, 20 BEF, 20 CHF & 20 ITL, make up the proverbial 'euro-before-the-euro-club'.

 

Argentor mainly sells Napoleon III coins. Napoleon I coins are available on occasion and on specific request.

 

The gold 20 French francs - Napoleon has a purity of 900/1.000 (21,6 carats) and a net gold content of 5,81 grams of gold. The remaining 0,64 grams consist of copper which gives the coin its typical light-orange shine. This alloy, incidentally, ensures that the coin is damaged less quickly which was necessary to withstand the wear by regular circulation.

 

Louis Napoleon Bonaparte | 1852
On the obverse you can see the effigy of Napoleon III with the name ‘ Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte ’ around his head. At the bottom of the coin you will see the name of the chief engraver of the French Mint ‘ Barre' (Jacques-Jean ). On the left and right of it you will see two mint marks. The greyhound on the left refers to the chief engraver of the French Mint, Jean-Jacques Barre. The hand on the right refers to the mint master of the Paris Mint, Charles-Louis Dierickx.

 

On the reverse you will find the face value of the coin, 20 FF, and the year of issue in the middle of an image of a laurel wreath. Around this wreath are the words ‘ République française ’. The letter at the bottom of the coin refers to the location where it was struck (A = Paris). On the edge of the coin is the slogan “***** Dieu * protège * la * France” embossed.

 

Napoleon III Empereur | 1853 - 1860
On the obverse you can see the effigy of Napoleon III with the name ‘ Napoleon III Empereur ’ around his head. At the bottom of the coin you will see the name of the main engraver of the French Mint ‘ Barre ’. Until 1855 the name referred to Jacques-Jean Barre, then to his son, Désiré-Albert, who had taken over as chief engraver in 1855.

 

To the left and right of the name ‘Barre’ you will see two mint marks. The greyhound refers to the chief engraver of the French Mint, Jacques-Jean Barre (until 1855). The hand refers to the mint master of the Paris Mint, Charles-Louis Dierickx (up to and including 1860). The anchor refers to the chief engraver of the French Mint, Désiré-Albert Barre (from 1855 on). The bee refers to the mint master of the Paris Mint, Renouard de Bussière (from 1860 on). The cross refers to the mint master of the Strasbourg Mint, Henri Delbecque (from 1860 on).

 

On the reverse you will find the face value of the coin - 20 FF - and the year of issue in the middle of an image of a laurel wreath. Around this wreath are the words ‘Empire français’. The letter at the bottom of the coin refers to the location where it was struck (A = Paris, BB = Strasbourg, D = Lyon). On the edge of the coin is the slogan “***** Dieu * protège * la * France".

 

Napoleon III Empereur | 1861 - 1870
On the obverse of this coin you can see the effigy of Napoleon III crowned with a wreath crown with the name ‘Napoleon III Empereur’ around his head. At the bottom of the coin you will see the name of the chief engraver of the French Mint, ‘Barre’ (Desiré-Albert). Above left you see the mint mark of the mint master of the location where the coin was struck. The bee refers to the mint master of the Paris Mint, Renouard de Bussière and the cross to the mint master of the Mint of Strasbourg, Henri Delbecque.

 

On the reverse of the coin you will see the coat of arms of Emperor Napoleon III with the words ‘Empire français’ above it. To the left and right of the coat of arms you will find the face value of the coin, 20 FF. At the bottom you will see the year of issue with the letter to the left that indicates the location where the coin was minted (A = Paris, BB = Strasbourg). To the right of the year of issue you will see the mint mark, an anchor, of the chief engraver of the French Mint, Désiré-Albert Barre. On the edge of the coin is the slogan “ ***** Dieu * protège * la * France ” embossed.

 

The 20 French francs - Napoleon and other gold coins are perfectly suitable as a purchase of physical gold. Gold coins are not taxed because they are considered monetary gold. And while all the gold coins offered by Argentor have been tested for authenticity, they are not delivered with a certificate of authenticity. That, unlike gold bars.

 

You are more than welcome in our office to sell your gold 20 French francs - Napoleon coin(s). You needn't make an appointment to do so.

 

Our buying prices are adapted every minute to the gold actual rate and will be hedged once you present your coin(s) in our office. You can always check our live buying prices on this page.