Note: These coins have been in circulation, scratches may appear. 

Coins sold various minting years.

Obverse: The guardian angel Genius of France stands as she inscribes the French Constitution upon a tablet next to a pillar and a rooster. The words "REPUBLIQUE FRANĒAISE" are above the angel. The French Angel characterizes the ideals of the French Revolution. Symbolically, the angel represents the Spirit of France. A rooster symbolizes Vigilance. Behind the angel stands the fasces or bundle of rods - a symbol of power previously carried by Roman magistrates. Obverse: Head of Ceres and writing "Republique Francaise". Ceres (known as Demeter in Greek mythology) was the Roman goddess of agriculture, grain, and the love a mother bears for her child. Ceres was beloved for her service to mankind in giving them the gift of the harvest, the reward for cultivation of the soil.

On the reverse of the coin is the official motto of the French Republic, "Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite" ("Liberty, Equality, Fraternity"). Also wreath and date.

A Coin That Saved The Designer

As the medallist to King Louis XVI, Augustine Dupré was appointed to design new coinage for
France. The new coin Dupré created first appeared on the 1 Louis D'Or in 1792. The designer was sentenced to lose his head on the guillotine during the French Revolution. According to legend, however, Dupré was able to bribe his guard with the Angel coin he carried in his pocket and made his escape.

Legend also says that Napoleon Bonaparte always carried an early French Angel in his pocket...until losing it the night before the fateful Battle at Waterloo. This Battle marked the beginning of his downfall.

Both investors and collectors love the French Genius 20 Franc gold coin for its storied history, innate beauty, 90% gold content, and relatively short mintage period.

The design of this coin appeared on 20 Franc gold coins in three different periods: 1848-1849, 1871-1898 and 1899-1906.