Buy and sell 20 franc gold coins in Wallonia
Buy and sell 20 franc gold coins in Wallonia
Léopold IerNapoleon or Vreneli... all these 20fr Gold coins in Belgium, France and Switzerland are no longer usedes depuis la Première Guerre Mondial. However, some individuals are looking to buy or sell these gold coins in Wallonia. While some prefer to make a gold ring, others are following scrupulously the evolution ofu price 20 franc gold to make the most the fair price. You need to know that thehe value of20-franc gold coins is determined more by the weight of the gold they contain and the number of mintages, than by their condition and age. In the yellow metal market, any gold coin is considered an investment. Today, we take a look back at the history of coins 20Fr Gold coins and the different vintages issued in Belgium, France and Switzerland.
Birth of the 20Fr Gold with the Union Monetary Union
The origins of 20-franc gold coins lie with Napoleon Bonaparte, who ordered the creation of a 20-franc French gold coin, based on a fineness of nine tenths, i.e. 900/1,000, for one tenth of alloy (law of 7 germinal an XI - 1803).
Although Napoleon failed to export this system beyond France's borders during his conquests, it was in 1865, with the Treaty of the Latin Monetary Union, that four European signatory countries established this standard in gold coins. France, Belgium, Switzerland and Italy instituted a common monetary organization based on gold-silver bimetallism.
Gradually, 32 countries adopted the Latin Monetary Union treaty, including Greece, Finland, Argentina and Tunisia. The United Kingdom, the German Empire and the United States, on the other hand, did not participate.
By precisely defining the characteristics of gold and silver coins, the Latin Monetary Union laid the foundations for an international monetary system that facilitated trade and stabilized gold and silver exchange rates between countries. For example, the Belgian 20 francs of 1867 and the French 20 francs in gold were perfectly interchangeable. A Belgian merchant could easily pay an invoice in French francs with Belgian gold francs, without any loss of exchange.
Latin Union currency divisions
| Metal | Number of units of account | Title in
thousandths |
Mass
in grams |
Diameter
in mm |
| or | 100 | 900 | 32,25 | 35 |
| or | 50 | 900 | 16,13 | 28 |
| or | 20 | 900 | 6,45 | 21 |
| or | 10 | 900 | 3,23 | 19 |
| or | 5 | 900 | 1,61 | 17 |
| silver | 5 | 900 | 25 | 37 |
| silver | 2 | 835 | 10 | 27 |
| silver | 1 | 835 | 5 | 23 |
| silver | 0,50 | 835 | 2,5 | 18 |
| silver | 0,20 | 835 | 1 | 16 |
The 20 Fr Gold standards of this monetary system have been retained. These include the 20 Fr OrNapoléon3 or Louis d'or, the 20 Fr Or Suisse or Vreneli, the 20 Fr Or Belge or Léopold 2, and the 20 lire Or Italienne, with a weight of 6.4516 grams of 90%-purity gold (including 5.8064 grams of fine gold) and a diameter of 21 mm.
Most of these coins are issued in 10, 40, 50 and 100 Fr denominations, with the gold weight always proportional. The Latin Monetary Union was dissolved in 1927, unable to withstand the ravages of the 1st World War. It was replaced by the gold standard, then by the forced paper currency we know today. The last coins minted to Latin Union standards were the Swiss 1/2 Fr., 1 Fr. and 2 Fr. in 1967.
20 Fr Belgian gold from 1834 à 1914 - Union Latine Belgium
Belgian franc coins were issued by the Royal Belgian Mint from 1832 to 2001, in francs, centimes and belga (= 5 francs).
There are different Union Latine Belgique 20 francs depending on the minting date and the representations on the coins:
- LeopoldIer 20 francs minted from 1834 to 1841 for the laureate head;
- LeopoldIer 20 francs , minted in 1.5 million copies between 1865 and 1866 for the nude head;
- LeopoldII 20 francs minted from 1867 to 1882;
- Albert Ier 20 francs minted in 1914;
The 20 Francs Or Léopold Ier coin of 1865 and 1866 has the same characteristics as the 20 Francs Napoléon. The obverse features a right-facing bust of King Leopold I, surrounded by the inscription "Leopold Premier Roi des Belges" ("Leopold First King of the Belgians"). On the reverse, the value "20 Francs" is encircled by a plant crown, and the year of mintage appears below. The edge is smooth, with the inscription "Dieu protège la Belgique" ("God protects Belgium").
| Characteristics 20 francs Or - Leopold I bareheaded | |
| Transmitter | Belgium |
| King | Leopold I (1831-1865) |
| Type | Part courante |
| Dates | 1864-1866 |
| Value | 20 francs (20 BEF) |
| Currency | Franc (1832-2001) |
| Composition | Gold 900‰ |
| Weight | 6,4516 g |
| Diameter | 21 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technical | Press stroke |
| Orientation | Coinage ↑↓ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Number | N# 11103 |
| References | KM# 23, Mor# 6, LA# BFM-153, LA# BFM-154 |
20 Fr Gold Napoleon from 1803 à 1914 - Latin Union France
French gold coins were issued between 1803 and 1914 under the orders of Napoleon I , hence their name. Some are listed on the stock exchange, while others are intended for collecting.
Also known as Louis d'Or, 20 Fr Or coins depict various personalities such as the Emperor or nephew Bonaparte, the Genius of the Second Republic, kings Louis-Philippe and Charles X, or the Marianne and the Coq gaulois.
Napoleon 20 franc gold coins are available in some twenty variants, including :
- Bonaparte Ier Consul 20 francs minted between 1802 and 1804;
- Napoleon Ier Consul 20 francs minted 428,000 copies from 1803 to 1804 for the Non Lauré;
- Napoleon Ier 20 francs remains the rarest, minted from 1804 to 1806 (An XIII and An XIV) for the Tête Nue;
- Napoléon III 20 francs, with more than 146 million pieces minted between 1853 and 1860 for the Tête Nue, ;
- Engineering IIème République 20 francs minted from 1848 to 1849;
- Cérès 20 francs struck 1849 to 1851;
- Coq Marianne 20 francs minted 1898 to 1914;
The 20 Francs Or Napoléon III Tête nue coin from 1853 to 1860 features a portrait of Napoléon III on the obverse, without a laurel wreath, and the inscription "Napoléon III Empereur". The reverse features an arched crown surrounding the words "20 Francs" and the date. The inscription "Empire Français" is engraved around the circumference of the crown. The edge is embossed with the inscription "Dieu protège la France" ("God protects France").
| Characteristics 20 francs Napoléon III bare head | |
| Transmitter | France |
| Emperor | Napoleon III (1852-1870) |
| Type | Part courante |
| Dates | 1853-1860 |
| Value | 20 francs (20) |
| Currency | Franc (1795-1959) |
| Composition | Gold 900‰ |
| Weight | 6,45161 g |
| Diameter | 21 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Orientation | Coinage ↑↓ |
| Demonetized | February 17, 2005 |
| Number | N# 3390 |
| References | F# 531, KM# 781 |
Today, there are over 500 million copies of the 20 franc gold coin. That's equivalent to around 3,000 tonnes of pure gold! It's this scarcity that makes the value of Louis d'Or coins vary according to their print run.
20Fr Gold Swiss or Vreneli of 1871 and 1936 - Latin Union Switzerland
The equivalent of the French Napoleon and the Belgian 20 Fr Or, with 58.9 million pieces minted between the wars and 1945, the 20 Francs Suisse coin is one of the best-known in the world. The 20Fr Or Suisse coins, also known as Vreneli francs or Têtesd'Helvetia, were issued from 1897 to 1936, and take their name from "Verena", a female personification of the Swiss Confederation.
In 1850, Switzerland adopted a single currency, the Swiss franc, whose value was aligned with the French franc. With the signing of the Latin Monetary Union Treaty, Switzerland issues several gold coins, including :
- 20 francs Essai minted in 1871 in an edition of 200 and in 1873 in an edition of 1080;
- 20 francs Têtesd'Helvetia minted from 1883 to It is often confused with the 20 francs Vreneli because of their similarity;
- 20 francs Essai minted in 1897 in 12 copies;
- 20 francs Vreneli minted from 1897 to 1935. These coins were demonetized in 1936.
- 20 francs Vreneli reprinted from 1947 to 1949. L1935, L1947 and L1949 are refrappings put into circulation to supply the gold market, the L standing for "Lingot" to differentiate it from the original coin.
The 20 Francs Or Vreneli coin from 1897 to 1935 features on the obverse the bust of the effigy of the Swiss Confederation (taken from a portrait by Françoise Kramer) and the inscription "Helvetia" above the portrait. The Swiss coat of arms on an oak branch is on the reverse, with the face value on either side of the shield and the mint date. The edge features 22 stars in relief and the inscription "AD LEGEM ANNI MCMXXXI".
| Features 20 Francs Vreneli | |
| Transmitter | Switzerland |
| Period | Federal state (1848-present) |
| Type | Part courante |
| Dates | 1897-1935 (1897-1947) |
| Value | 20 francs (20 CHF) |
| Currency | Franc (1850-present) |
| Composition | Gold 900‰ |
| Weight | 6,45 g |
| Diameter | 21.00 mm |
| Thickness | 1.25 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technical | Press stroke |
| Orientation | Coinage ↑↓ |
| Demonetized | July 29, 1944 |
| Number | N# 7497 |
| References | HMZ 2# 1195, Divo/Tob19# 293, KM# 35.1, Fr# 499, Y# 41 |
Unlike gold jewelry , which can deteriorate over time, the value of gold coins depends on their availability and weight. However, not all 20 franc gold coins are worth the same! That's why the choice of coins needs to be carefully considered to ensure the security of savings for an investment project.
As you can see, 20 franc gold coins have their equivalents in Belgium, France and Switzerland. To classify them, there are six levels of quality: Fleur de coin, Splendide, Superbe, Très Très Beau, Très Beau and Beau. Of course, each one has its own characteristics that define its value and use. Thanks to this indispensable information, you'll know which type of coin is right for physical gold investment or numismatics.
If you have any questions or doubts about a 20 franc Gold coin, the best thing to do is to call on professionals like CaraOr.
CaraOr's gold buying and selling experts welcome you to pleasant, secure premises in Liège and Rixensart in Wallonia. They will advise you according to your project and answer all your questions. Make an appointment with CaraOr!