5.81 grams Gold 20 French Francs Ceres

The 20 French Francs Ceres gold coin, also called “Napoleon 20 Francs”, is an emblematic coin of the Second French Republic, minted between 1849 and 1851. Its design won a prize at the monetary competition held on October 31, 1848, and production began the following year. In all, over 16.7 million examples were put into circulation, making this coin an essential witness to French monetary history.

On the obverse, the coin features a magnificent portrait of Ceres, Roman goddess of agriculture, harvests and fertility. She wears a pearl necklace, a pendant in the shape of a Masonic square, and a wreath of oak leaves and ears of wheat, recalling the importance of working the land and agricultural production for the young Republic. A Roman lictor beam, emblematic of the power and authority of elected magistrates in Republican Rome, is also depicted, affirming the principles of justice and popular sovereignty. Around the effigy, the inscription “République Française” reinforces the republican spirit that characterized this post-monarchic period.

The reverse of the 20 French Francs Ceres gold coin features the face value “20 Francs” in the center, elegantly encircled by a wreath of oak and olive branches, symbols of strength and peace. Around this ensemble, the Republican motto “Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité” is proudly engraved, while the minting date (which varies according to availability) appears at the bottom.

A particular feature of the 1851 20 Francs Ceres minted in Paris (“A” mark) is that some have a dot after the name of the engraver Merley, while others, rarer still, do not.

Weighing 6.45 grams and containing 5.81 grams of pure gold, the 20 Francs Ceres coin embodies both France's rich numismatic heritage and the republican values of the era. Its refined design and historical significance make it a real treasure for collectors and investors in precious metals.

Individual coins come in a protective plastic bag.