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. Minted from 1899 to 1914, these traditional French gold coins feature the dynamic image of the Gallic Rooster, or Coq Gaulois, one of the national symbols of France since the Middle Ages.
Roosters were then restruck in the 1950s with dates ranging from 1907 to 1915.
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.
These coins range from extra fine (XF) to brilliant uncirculated (BU) condition.
