French francs have featured countless different designs during the course of history. The gold coins in this range once bore the portraits of the kings, emperors, and early presidents of France. By the late 19^th century, however, a Guardian Angel design had taken over as the primary design for the coins. Right now, 20 Francs Gold Coins with the Angel design are available to purchase from JM Bullion.

Coin Highlights:

• Arrives inside of protective plastic flips!
• Struck between 1848 and 1898!
• Bears the Guardian Angel image!
• Contains .1867 Troy oz of actual gold content in AU condition.
• Bears a face value of 20 Francs backed by the government of France.
• On the obverse is the design of the Guardian Angel known as Genius.
• The reverse features the wreath and legend inscription.
• The design was originally created in 1792 by Augustin Dupre.

Each of these 20 Francs Gold Coins are available to you inside of protective plastic flips. The Guardian Angel design is deeply rooted in the history of France and first appeared on coinage for King Louis XVI. This gold coin had a 24 livres face value with Louis XVI’s portrait on one side and the angel on the other.

Augustin Dupre’s choice of the angel on coinage for France comes from a fantastical story. Set to lose his head to the guillotine during the French Revolution, he was spared by a bolt of lightning which startled the executioner and delayed the execution. He later received a stay and credited his life to an angel coin he had in his pocket. Later, Napoleon Bonaparte carried an early angel coin in his pocket on military campaigns, losing his coin the night before France’s devastating loss at the Battle of Waterloo.

On the obverse of these 20 Francs Gold Coins is the image of the Guardian Angel, otherwise known as Genius. Her winged figure is depicted standing at a column as she makes inscriptions on the French constitution while a French rooster looks on. Engravings identify the era of issue with “Republique Francaise,” which translates as French Republic.

The reverse of the coins includes the common wreath circle with the legend in the center. That legend includes the face value of the gold coins as well as its individual year of issue dated between 1871 and 1898. The coins also include the French motto of “Liberte Egalite Fraternite.”

The 20 Francs Gold Coins in this listing come from 1848 to 1898, the primary mintage period for the Guardian Angel design. All coins of this era were minted by the Paris Mint location.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. JM Bullion customer service is available to you at 800-276-6508, online using our live chat, and via our email address.