PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Depending on the version, the obverse of the 20 francs Napoléon may depict a bare or laurelled head of Napoléon III with a ribbon descending to the shoulder below, the Genius of Augustin Dupré or Ceres.

As the name "20 Francs Napoléon" applies to all French gold coins issued at the time, 19 types of Napoléon exist on the market today .

• The reverse of the 20 francs Napoléon Tête Laurée features an eagle on either side of a thunderbolt, surrounded by the collar of the Legion of Honor, surmounted by two scepters (the Hand of Justice and the Scepter of Charlemagne) in saltire.s in saltire and resting on a hanging adorned with ermine spots on the inside and bees on the outside, topped by an imperial crown from which two ribbons extend.
• The vintage is framed by the workshop letter and the different anchor of Graveur général, below, between the ends of the scepters.

The 20 Francs Or Napoléon coin was issued between 1803 and 1898 in 19 effigies.

When you buy these coins on our site, you can receive 20 Francs Napoléon Tête Laurée, Tête Nue, Génie, Cérès or Marianne Coq depending on our stocks.

Please note that the effigy of the 20 Francs Napoléon has no impact on its resale price.

History of the 20 Francs Napoléon coin

Born of the law of 7 Germinal An XI (1803), the 20 Franc gold coin known as the "Napoleon" sets a clear and enduring standard: titre 900 ‰, 6.45161 g for approximately 5.806 g of fine gold. This standard anchors the stability of the "germinal franc" and supports the French economy through the regimes, from the Consulate to the IIIᵉ Republic.

From 1803 to 1914, the coin was minted without changing gauge, making it a trusted reference for savings and payments; it only lost its legal tender status on June 25, 1928.

On the French market, "Napoléon" refers by extension to the entire 20-franc gold module, whatever the vintage or type (imperial or republican), a practical convention linked to the uniformity of this standard.

The "Dieu protège la France" ("God protects France") edge statement, characteristic of issues from the XIXᵉ century, illustrates the political and religious context of the time; at the turn of the XXᵉ century, secular France would substitute "Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité", a sign of a new monetary and civic era.

Price trends for the 20 Francs Napoléon coin over the last twenty years (2005 to 2025)

Over the past twenty years, the price of gold in euros has followed the same trajectory. After a modest phase in the early 2000s. The acceleration began in 2006, with a reference article noting a level of around €95.69 in spring 2006, followed by €191.53 in May 2010 and a peak of ~€279.6 in September 2011.

The period 2012-2018 oscillates between consolidations and recoveries, while the following decade is driven by the reappearance of inflation and geopolitical shocks. By 2021, the price of this coin will have risen from €52 in 2000 to ~€305, i.e. +486% in twenty years. In 2025, the typical price in France will be around €600 (small volumes).

Why invest in 20 Francs Napoléon?

The 20 Francs Napoléon has a privileged place in physical gold savings due to its international recognition, standardized weight and high liquidity. With its universal standard, it is immediately recognizable. It's also highly accessible: when compared with bullion, the coin fractioning allows you to adjust a buying or selling plan as closely as possible to your needs.

VARIABLE VINTAGES / EFFIGIES

Vintages and/or effigies of these coins are sent randomly, depending on our stocks.

As these are bullion coins and not collector's items, their years of issue or effigies have no impact on their value or resale price.

Photos non contractual.

GOLD BULLION COINS FAQ :

WHAT IS AN EXCHANGEABLE GOLD COIN?

This is a standardized, liquid gold coin, generally minted after 1800, which is often exempt from VAT in France if it meets the purity and shape criteria defined by regulations.

HOW TO INVEST IN PHYSICAL GOLD?

You can buy or sell physical gold (coins or bars), which are considered exchangeable products. We invite you to consult our gold investment guide to help you define your investment strategy.

HOW CAN I SELL MY GOLD COIN ?

Simply send it to us by post. We'll send you a free Gold Kit, which explains how to return your investment gold coins to us. You can also fill in the "You're selling" box at the top right of this page, which will give you a real-time price estimate.

WHAT CAPITAL GAINS TAX APPLIES TO THE SALE OF INVESTMENT GOLD?

In France, two options are available:

- TMP (flat-rate capital gains tax): 11.5% of the sale price if no proof of sale is provided,

- TPV (taxe sur la plus-value): 36.2% applied to the actual capital gain, with an annual allowance of 5% from the 3rdᵉ year, and total exemption after 22 years of ownership.

WHAT IS THE PREMIUM ON A GOLD COIN?

The premium represents the extra cost above the value of pure gold, reflecting manufacturing and distribution costs and market demand. The rarer the condition or vintage, the higher the premium.

HOW CAN I STORE MY GOLD SAFELY?

We offer two storage solutions for your precious metals: Gardien'Or and Coffre-Fort Privé.

BENEFITS

• Investment gold (tax advantages)
• High liquidity on the market
• Ultra popular
• Historical interest
• Available in several effigies

IMPORTANT

DELIVERY RATES

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