Description
The French 20 Franc Rooster is one of the most popular of all our European gold coins. Each coin contains almost a fifth of an ounce (0.1867) of pure gold and is available in Brilliant Uncirculated and Almost Uncirculated condition.
Design of the French 20 Franc Rooster – The front of the French 20 Franc Rooster features the head of the Third Republic surrounded by the words ‘REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE.’ The Third Republic was established after Napoleon III’s defeat in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870. This government remained in effect until World War II. France currently operates under The Fifth Republic. The reverse depicts a proud, fully plumed rooster along with the denomination (20 Fcs), the date, and the words ‘LIBERTE ‘ EGALITE ‘ FRATERNITE’. This phrase, which translates to ‘freedom, equality, fraternity’, was popularized during the French Revolution against Louis XVI.
French 20 Franc Rooster Coin Minting Information – The original production run of French 20 Franc Rooster gold coins occurred between 1898 and 1914, with surviving coins from the initial year considered especially rare. Coins with dates from 1907-1914 were officially re-struck at the Paris Mint in 1921 and again from 1951-1960.
