France 20 Francs Angel

French 20 Francs

(Angel)

Minted 1871 - 1898

Fineness: .900

Actual Gold Content: .1867 troy ounce

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Owning the famous French Angel gold coin has always been considered good luck. Legend has it that an earlier version accompanied Napoleon in his quest to conquer Europe. He carried it in the long march to Russia and back until he finally misplaced it -- the day before the Battle of Waterloo. When the coin's designer, Augustine Dupre, was sentenced to death, he held a gold Angel as he prayed for his life; it caught the eye of his guard, allowing him to 'negotiate' his escape from the guillotine.

There are literally thousands of storiesabout the powers of the 'French Angel.' There are stories of people who claim their lives were saved during some tragic event to those who extol its healing powers from terminal cancer and other diseases. I have even found websites where many have told their stories. Never have I seen so much mysticism surrounding a numismatic coin. This is a coin that any collector can enjoy for its beauty, but the stories behind this coin really make it a collectors' must have piece." -- Raymond Hanisco, Coin Collecting Editor, Bella Online.

The French Angel characterizes the ideals of the French Revolution. Symbolically, the angel depicted on the obverse represents the Spirit of France and he is shown on the coin writing the French Constitution. A rooster symbolizing vigilance appears next to the angel. Behind the angel stands the fasces or bundle of rods - a symbol of power previously carried by Roman magistrates. On top of the fasces is the Cap of Liberty, which also appears on U.S. coinage with the same meaning. The slogan "Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite" appears on the reverse along with the date.

French Angels are readily available in uncirculated condition, but be careful of commercial offerings at very high prices. At present, you don't have to pay much more for the French Angel in uncirculated condition than for other 20 franc coins. We have handled large hoards of very high grade uncirculated Angels.