20 Francs Angel
France
1871–1898
Reference data compiled from public catalogs
Estimated Melt Value
$895.10
Based on Gold spot price ($4,795.98/oz) · 90.0% purity · 6.45g
Updated 6:41 PM
Collector premium not included
Specifications
| Country | France |
| Years Minted | 1871–1898 |
| Composition | 90% gold, 10% copper |
| Weight | 6.45 g |
| Diameter | 21 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Edge | Reeded |
Design
Obverse
Depicts a standing genius (angel) writing the French constitution.
Reverse
Features a wreath surrounding the denomination and date.
History & Notable Facts
The 20 Francs Angel gold coin features a design by Augustin Dupré from 1795, showing a genius inscribing the constitution—a motif recycled for the Third Republic's issues from 1871 to 1898.
This figure, often mistaken for a true angel, is actually a personification of enlightenment, struck on 900 fine gold planchets. Production varied by year, with Paris as the primary mint, though some years saw output from branch mints like Bordeaux. Exact mintages for certain dates remain unclear, lost in archival mishaps over the decades.
Weights hover around 6.45 grams, making them practical for trade in the Latin Monetary Union. They're not rare, but condition matters; circulated examples show wear from pocket change use.
Dupré's design outlasted revolutions, which is more than you can say for most political symbols.
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