The French Gold coins were minted (at various times) in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 40, 50 and 100 francs. The 20 franc coin is the most popular and coveted of the series, with 90% gold. Issued during the reign of Napoleon I, it features his portrait on the obverse. The denomination continued through the 19th century, while later French gold coins in the same denomination are referred to as "Napoleons.”

Napoleon Bonaparte was considered an outsider even through the eyes of his own followers, yet he led France to its greatest period of historic influence. He stands in company of Alexander the Great as two of the most feared military commanders of all time. As a leader, Napoleon Bonaparte brought France to unprecedented heights of glory, only to see it all unravel do to his arrogance and hunger for even more power. The French Napoleon 20 Franc commemorates all of Napoleon Bonaparte’s efforts as a world leader. This beautiful gold coin from the early nineteenth century glorifies the monumental legacy of a man who continues to influence the world to this day.

The Napoleon coin was first authorized by a Monetary Ordinance of March 28, 1803 by the Premier Consul (First Consul) Napoleon Bonaparte. Although the portraits and legends changed with the political changes in France, the denomination remained in use until the First World War, under what was known as the Latin Monetary Union, also referred to as the "Euro before the Euro.”

Napoleons usually have the same premium of regular fractional sized bullion coins, including the Krugerrands. It is far more labor-intensive and time-consuming to mint smaller sized gold bullion coins (such as the Maple Leaf, Eagle, and Krugerrand) than the one ounce sized bullion coins. Most production centers around the full one-ounce coins, and smaller coins require that the equipment be retooled, and quality inspections cost time and money. The cost of manufacturing ten 1/10th-ounce coins far exceeds the cost of minting a single one-ounce coin.

Owning this coin gives investors the flexibility of keeping precious metal that is easily tradable, has profit potential, and is protected by gold’s value from inflation and crashing money markets. This coin also has the international appeal of being recognized worldwide as well as holding a great cache of history behind it.