In Stock
1871-1898 Gold French 20 Franc Angel Bullion Coin
Buy French Gold 20 Franc Angel Coins. This is a great opportunity to buy these historic French gold coins. Struck in 0.900 gold fineness Contains 0.
READ MORE£525.38
(VAT Exempt)
(VAT Exempt)
Buy French Gold 20 Franc Angel Coins.
This is a great opportunity to buy these historic French gold coins.
- Struck in 0.900 gold fineness
- Contains 0.1867 troy ounce of gold
- VAT Free Investment Gold
- Our Choice of Date
This is sold as a bullion coin at a low premium above the gold spot price, the finish is uncirculated - this is not the grade. If you are looking for a dated or a graded coin please contact our showroom on 01253 343081.
Angel at Desk
The 'Angel at Desk' reverse on the 20F French coins issued between 1871-1898 was first depicted in 1791, following the 1789 revolution. The reverse depicts a winged figure writing the constitution of the new post-revolutionary France.
A legend sprang up around these 'angel coins' on account of a story of how the designer of the coin, Augustine Dupré, escaped execution during the Reign of Terror because the lucky ‘Guardian Angel’ on the coin that he was carrying in his pocket supposedly prevented the blade of the guillotine from falling!
The story is almost certainly apocryphal, not just because of the lack of reliable records supporting it and the incredible nature of the story, but also because the other Roman imagery in the design and the general anti-clerical secularism of the Revolution, suggests that the winged figure is more likely to be a representation of a Roman Genius (or ‘Spirit’ of something, as in the ‘Spirit of the Revolution’) rather than an ‘angel’.
Nevertheless, the legend took on a life of its own, and to possess a coin with an ‘angel’ on was considered to bring the owner good luck. Napoleon’s failure at Waterloo was attributed to his misplacing of the coin which had previously brought him luck on his campaigns.
Third French Republic
With the collapse of the Second French Empire in 1870, the new Third Republic resurrected the revolutionary-inspired design for the reverse of the gold 20F coin and maintained it until 1898. During the First World War, French soldiers often carried these as a talisman, and later, during the Second World War Herman Goering, the Head of the Luftwaffe, was said to have been obsessed by the luck that was allegedly inherent in these coins and looted as many as he could get hold of from occupied France to give to his ‘ace’ pilots to ensure that their luck would continue!
Obverse
Winged Genius of the Revolution leaving against a column writing the the word 'Constitution', set above the signature of the engraver. With the Fasces (a Roman Republican symbol of authority) and a Rooster (the symbol of France) set on either side of the figure.
RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE
Reverse
Designed by Henri-Auguste Patey, the engraving comprises the denomination and date set within a wreath, surrounded by the revolutionary legend:
LIBERTÉ ÉGALITÉ FRATERNITÉ
Key Information
| Intrinsic Value | £420.30 |
| Product ID | 1572 |
| Stock Status | In Stock |
Product Spec
| Metal | Gold |
| Gold Weight Troy Ounces | 0.1867 |
| Fineness/Carat | 0.900 / 21.6 |
| Date | 1871 - 1898 |
| Obverse Designer | Augustin Dupré |
| Reverse Designer | Henri-Auguste Patey |
| Mint/Brand | Paris Mint |
| Country | France |
Book an appointment
Book an appointment in London or Blackpool and let our precious metal experts assist you.
BOOK NOWDelivery
Chards Coin and Bullion ships to all areas in the United Kingdom, including the Channel Islands.
Please be advised delivery timeframes are reflective of in-stock orders where payment and any necessary identification or onboarding documents have been received.
| Delivery Option | Est. Delivery Time |
|---|---|
| Standard Delivery | 2-3 working days |
| Special Delivery | Next day (1 working day) |
Collections
All orders are free to collect at our showrooms in Blackpool and Hatton Garden, London. To arrange a collection, please call us at 01253 343081 or book an appointment.
International Delivery
The responsibility lies with the buyer to pay duties and taxes to the local customs office. This includes any fees levied for parcels that are marked as returned to sender.
For more information on delivery and collections visit our information page.
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Our specialist insurance through Lloyd's of London covers against any potential risks associated with orders, deliveries and our vaulting service giving customers peace of mind.
UK Showrooms
Strategically positioned in London's Hatton Garden and Blackpool's South Shore, our offices offer personalised, face-to-face consultations in two locations.
Auditing & Accounts
In partnership with Azets, a top 10 UK auditor, we provide third-party verification of our financials and vaulted assets to deliver exemplary customer confidence.
Precious metal investments are not regulated in the UK.
Investment values can fluctuate and may decrease as well as increase. Past performance is not indicative of future results.Pricing:
Prices are based on the current precious metal price and may change.Payment and ID:
You may need to provide identification to make a purchase. You can find more information on payment and identification requirements.Bullion Coins:
These may have minor scratches or edge knocks, but this does not affect their value. Any coin sold for a value less than a 180% intrinsic is considered a bullion coin.VAT:
Investment gold products are VAT-free, while silver products include VAT.Cancellations & Returns:
Once you place an order, you cannot cancel it. We do not currently accept returns, however. You may be able to sell your investment products back to Chards at the current buy back rate.
For more details, please see our Terms & Conditions.
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