Gold Coin 20 Francs Marianne Coq

The 20 Francs Marianne Coq gold investment coin

The Marianne Coq gold coin is the ultimate investment gold coin on the French market but also a symbol of the Third Republic. The 20 Francs Marianne Coq is a French coin issued under the Third Republic and represents the time when the Franc dominated Europe. It was struck from 1898 to 1906 with an edge inscribed " God protects France " then from 1907 to 1914 with, on the edge, the motto of the French Republic " Liberty, Equality, Fraternity " inscribed to mark the separation of Church and State.

This gold coin, popular with investors, was minted in two periods, giving rise to two subcategories:

• The vintage from 1899 to 1906. Printed in 43 million copies, it has on the edge, the engraving "God protects France". In 1905, the country experiences a separation between the Clergy and the State. The coins adapt to this change.
• The second type was minted from 1907 to 1914 and features the motto "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity" on the edge. This version of the Marianne Coq gold coin makes it the most republican coin produced up to that time.

The Marianne Coq has the particularity of having been re-struck from 1951 and 1960 with the vintages from 1907 to 1914. The two great world wars in fact caused the loss of many gold stocks. In 1948, to revive the gold market, the Banque de France decided to melt down the old worn Napoleon coins to make Mariannes. Called "Pinay re-strucks" by professionals, these are recognizable to informed investors thanks to their slightly coppery color, due to their alloy composed of 10% copper. 37 million copies were made with the original dies (engraved metal coins used as a mold). They are often found in very good condition since they have not circulated and are therefore appreciated by aesthete investors.

20 Francs Marianne Coq: an engraving signed Jules-Clément Chaplain

On the obverse of the second version of the 20 Francs Marianne Coq coin , we can see the profile of Marianne with long hair, the symbol of the French Republic par excellence. She is wearing her Phrygian cap and a crown of oak leaves. On the first version, it was possible to see a crown of laurel leaves. This transition from laurel to oak is very symbolic. It evokes a more anchored and solid Republic. The oak leaf is also the symbol of the prefects and commissioners. In an arc of a circle is the word " French Republic ", as well as the signature of the engraver: Jules-Clément Chaplain.

On the reverse of this gold investment coin, the French motto " Liberty, Equality, Fraternity " surrounds a proud-looking rooster, the emblematic animal of France. He walks to the left on a flowery ground.

The face value of the 20 Francs Marianne Coq gold coin is also present, as well as its vintage.