20 Franc Napoleon III Bonaparte Gold Coin is one of the most popular investment coins in Europe – with a purity grade of 900/1000, a gross weight of 6.45 g, and a gold content of 5.81 g. It was minted during the reign of Charles Louis Napoleon Bonaparte – the nephew of Napoleon I Bonapart and ruler of France, first as president and later as emperor, during the Second Republic.
The obverse design features the effigy of Napoleon III, depicted in a side profile view. The reverse bears the face value of 20 French francs and the respective year of issue, which varies from piece to piece. A laurel wreath separates it from the inscription “EMPIRE FRANÇAIS” - French Empire.
The manufacturers offer gold and silver investment coins without a certificate.
The delivered products may vary slightly from the picture shown.
Investment gold is exempt from VAT under Art. 160 (1) of the VAT Act.
Metal
Gold
Weight
6.45
g
Purity
900/1000
Diameter
21
mm
Legal tender
20 francs
Manufacturer
Monnaie de Paris
Country
France
Packaging
Protective capsule
On the obverse the effigy of Napoleon III. The year of issue varies from product to product. The versions where he is depicted without a laurel wreath were issued from 1852 to 1860, along with the circumscription “LOUIS-NAPOLEON III BONAPARTE” (1852) or “NAPOLEON III EMPEREUR” (1853 – 1860). There is a version where he is wearing a laurel wreath, issued from 1861 to 1870 – once again with the circumscription “NAPOLEON III EMPEREUR”. Under the effigy stands the engraver’s signature - “BARRE”.
During the period when the franc Napoleon III Bonaparte gold coins were issued, there were multiple mints operating on the territory of France. The exact location it was minted is marked on the reverse – for instance, the mark “A” signifies that it was made by Monnaie de Paris, but “BB” indicates that it was manufactured in Strasbourg. Today, only the Paris Mint remains.
The Paris Mint, or Monnaie de Paris, was founded in 864, which makes it the oldest continuously operating mint in the world and one of the oldest enterprises in the world. By edict by Charles II, coinage became a right exclusive to the Crown. Up until then lords, barons and even ecclesiastical institutions could mint currency. Monnaie de Paris and a number of other mints across the country were founded in response to this decision to centralise coin production.
Over the centuries the number of foundries of this type dwindled. As of 1878, only the Monnaie de Paris remains operational, but in 1973 the bulk of its manufacturing was moved to a new facility in Pessac, and today the original building in the capital largely serves as a museum. Today the institution mints an average of half a million coins per year – for France as well as ones meant for export.
We ship our orders with Econt Express. The cost of delivery is at the customer's expense and includes insurance, cash on the delivery fee, if applicable, and courier service. The total delivery cost is formed based on the chosen method of payment and the method of delivery.
Orders received by 3 p.m. on working days and chosen payment method cash on delivery or credit card are processed and shipped on the same day. Orders received after 3 p.m. or during the weekend, are processed and despatched on the next working day.
Each shipment has the "Check" option. In case the customer decides to return the order, the delivery and return costs are at the expense of the customer.
You can also get your order from the Bulmint showroom in Plovdiv at 24 Otets Paisiy Str. or in Sofia st 1 Oborishte Str.