French Gold Angel

 

French Gold CoinThe 20-franc French Gold Angel coin, also known as The Lucky Angel Genius, has a proven record of performance crossing decades. It continues to be in high demand as an investment and Bullion Plus coin. With its general strong market demand and competitive buy and sell spreads, the French Gold Angel makes an excellent investment choice. Compared to similar-sized fractional gold bullion coins, the 20-franc Gold Angel has shown a strong liquidity and market demand, especially in Europe. Many gold investors have chosen French Gold coins over modern Gold Eagles and Gold Maple Leafs as the investment of choice.

 

  • French Gold Angels are five to ten times rarer and can be more coveted in Almost Uncirculated to Uncirculated Condition than its younger sibling the French Gold Rooster gold coins
  • Angels were minted from 1871 to 1898; because of their age, Angels are generally delivered in extra fine to almost or lightly circulated condition
  • French Gold Angels come in a variety of sizes from the 5 to 100-franc; we’ve found that there’s a far greater demand and better buyback values for 20-franc coins – especially for purchases where the coin size is about 1/5 ounce of gold each – and for this reason 20-franc coins are the ones we most recommendFrench Gold Coin
  • Angels were Europe’s first currency coin, became the basis for Europe’s first monetary union, and facilitated world trade
  • Also called the Genius coin for its depiction of the Angel of that name signing the French constitution on the obverse; on the reverse, a wreath surrounds the coin’s denomination
  • The coin was designed by French sculptor Augustine Dupré; prior to designing the Angel, he was known for his work engraving sword hilts and sculpting medals; while working as the medalist to the King Louis XVI, Thomas Jefferson – at that time, the United States' minister to Paris – selected Dupré to design a gold medal to honor naval officer John Paul Jones – he would later also design a medal for Benjamin Franklin

 

The Legend of Lucky

French Gold Coin

Of the three legends surrounding the French Gold Angel coin and its designer, the most popular had to do with Augustine Dupré facing execution by guillotine during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror. As he knelt before the blade, he pulled a Gold Angel from his pocket, rubbed it for luck and whispered a prayer. A bolt of lightning struck nearby and in the ensuing panic, his execution was halted. Six months later he was freed and till the end of his days claimed that his Lucky French Angel had saved him.

 

Napoleon was so moved by the story he also carried the coin for luck. It is said he lost his coin the day before he met defeat at Waterloo. Its power as an amulet of luck continued through both World Wars and was often carried by Aircraft/Boat Captains to insure a safe return home after a mission.

French Gold Coin

 

Though Dupré designed the coin in 1793, the French Gold Angel coin wasn’t minted until almost 80 years later in 1871. Dupré wouldn’t have lived to see its minting. If he did unpocket a coin before the guillotine, it was more likely a Gold 1 Louis d'Or. Nonetheless, the legend of the Lucky Gold Angel was born.

 

To learn more about the Gold Angel and see how the French Gold coin could fit well into your investment portfolio, please contact us here and an experienced Mint State Gold representative will be happy to see how we can assist you.

 

French Gold Angel Coin Specifications

 

Metal(s) Produced Gold
Purity 90% Gold
Year(s) Minted 1878 to 1898
Where Minted Paris Mint (Add'l Mints Vary)
Composition 0.1867 Gold
Total Weight 0.207 troy oz
Denomination 20 Francs
Thickness 1.4 mm
Diameter 21 mm
Strike Type(s) Business

 

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