French 20 Franc in gold Angel coins.

Inexpensive, beautiful, and with a fascinating legend behind them, French 20 Franc “Lucky Angels” in choice Brilliant Uncirculated condition are perhaps our favorite European gold coins.

Both investors and collectors love the French Angel 20 Franc gold coin for its storied history, innate beauty and relatively short mintage period. 86 million coins were minted from 1871 to 1898, it is the most minted French 20 francs gold coin and therefore the most commonly available on the market after the 20 Francs or Rooster. This coin is introduced after the 20 francs Napoléon III Tête Laurée.

• Better than bullion. All the benefits of gold bullion plus extra benefits like limited supply, collector demand, complete financial privacy, and extra premium potential because of scarcity.
• True scarcity. BU Angels are four to five scarcer French Roosters and Swiss Helvetia’s but trade for almost the same cost. Their true scarcity can mean higher premiums during periods of peak demand.
• Private, liquid, secure. Unlike most forms of gold bullion, they are exempt from broker reporting requirements.

20 Francs Gold Coins: The Best Low-Premium Fractional Gold Investmen

The 20 Francs gold coins (whether French or Swiss), along with British Sovereigns and ducats, are some of the best fractional gold coins you can buy, offering very low premiums—typically around 3-4%. These coins, roughly the size of a nickel, are not only affordable but also carry historical significance, making them attractive to both collectors and investors. Since no more 20 Francs coins will ever be minted, their supply is fixed, and with each one melted down or used in jewelry, they become even scarcer. Although not quite as widely recognized as British Sovereigns, they are still well-known and respected in the gold market, especially alongside Swiss Gold Francs.

The low premiums make these coins an excellent store of value and highly liquid for future resale. In a liquidation scenario, refiners often pay spot price for them, similar to other gold items like Eagles, Maples, and even Tiffany gold. Overall, 20 Francs coins offer a fair premium for fractional gold and are a solid option for those looking to invest in gold with minimal overhead.

Minted from 1871 to 1898, Angels are also one of the best values in classic coins. In BU condition they are five to ten times scarcer than French 20 Franc Roosters and Swiss 20 Franc Helvetia’s, yet they sell today for close to the same price, making them a true bargain. They offer all the benefits of gold bullion plus extra benefits like limited supply, collector demand, complete financial privacy, and extra premium potential because of scarcity.

Design of the French 20 Franc Angel – The Angel represented on the obverse (front) is the guardian angel Genius as she inscribes the French Constitution upon a tablet next to a pillar and a rooster. The words “REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE” are above the angel. The reverse (back) displays the denomination (20 FRANC) and date encircled by a wreath. The words ‘LIBERTE EGALITE FRATERNITE’ appear between the wreath and the rim.

French Angel Gold Coin Minting Information – The design of this coin appeared on 20 Franc gold coins in three different periods. The coins that Goldline offers were all minted between 1871 and 1898, although several of those years yielded no 20 Franc Angels. The Angel design was also briefly used for the 20 Franc in 1848-49 and again from 1899 to 1906, where the edge of the coins featured the inscription, ‘DIEU PROT’G’ LA FRANCE’. All French 20 Franc Angel gold coins were minted in Paris.

Legend of the Lucky Angel.

The Angel design first appeared on the 1 Louis D’Or in 1792. The designer of that gold coin, Augustine Dupre, was sentenced to lose his head on the guillotine during the French Revolution. According to legend, however, Dupre was able to bribe his guard with the Angel coin he carried in his pocket and make 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. French pilots in World War I rarely took flight without one in their kit; and German fighter pilots received an Angel for every fifth Allied plane shot down during World War II.

Unlike most forms of gold bullion, they are exempt from broker reporting requirements. In our opinion, they’re better than bullion for bulk gold buyers.