Marianne and the Gallic Rooster in French Gold
The France 20 Franc Rooster carries Jules-Clément Chaplain’s Marianne on one side and the Gallic rooster on the other. It was struck for circulation from 1899 to 1914. Each coin weighs 6.45 grams at .900 fine, which leaves 0.1867 troy ounces of gold, the same standard as the 20 franc Angel it replaced.
Chaplain’s Two Symbols of France
Chaplain was appointed to design the new coin in 1898. His obverse shows Marianne, the figure of the French Republic, in right profile with long hair, wearing the Phrygian cap and a wreath, with RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE around her. The reverse shows a rooster with a puffed-out chest walking left across a strip of ground with grasses and flowers. LIBERTÉ ÉGALITÉ FRATERNITÉ circles it, with 20 Fcs and the date below.
The Edge Changed in 1907
The rim of the coin is lettered, not reeded. Coins struck through 1906 read DIEU PROTÈGE LA FRANCE, God protects France. France passed its law separating church and state in 1905, and from 1907 the edge reads LIBERTÉ ÉGALITÉ FRATERNITÉ instead. Turn the coin on its side and the edge tells you which half of the series it belongs to.
Many 1907 to 1914 Coins Were Struck in the 1950s
After the Second World War, the Banque de France reopened the gold market. Between 1951 and 1960 it restruck about 37 million Roosters from the original dies, all carrying dates from 1907 to 1914. These are known as the Pinay restrikes. They are genuine French gold coins of the same weight and standard, but a coin dated 1907 to 1914 may have been struck decades later.
Dates are pulled from available stock and cannot be requested, and the coin you receive will not match the photos. We list these coins as About Uncirculated, which means light wear on the high points. This is a collectible, and its value comes from its gold, its condition and its history rather than its metal weight alone.
France 20 Franc Rooster Specifications
Each coin holds 0.1867 troy ounces of gold at .900 fine, weighs about 6.45 grams and measures 21 mm across. The denomination is 20 francs, the designer is Jules-Clément Chaplain, and the edge is lettered. Full current specs are on the Specifications tab above.
France 20 Franc Rooster FAQ
Can I tell whether my coin is a 1950s restrike?
Not easily. Restrikes use the original dies and dates, and sources describe only small tells: restrikes were never circulated and often look sharper, and testing shows a slightly different alloy that can give them a more coppery tint.
Why does the edge lettering vary?
Coins struck through 1906 carry DIEU PROTÈGE LA FRANCE on the edge. After France separated church and state in 1905, coins from 1907 on carry LIBERTÉ ÉGALITÉ FRATERNITÉ instead.
How does the Rooster compare with the 20 Franc Angel?
It replaced the Angel after 1898 at the same standard: 6.45 grams, .900 fine, 21 mm across. The gold content is the same, and the design is what changes: Chaplain’s Marianne and rooster in place of Dupré’s winged Genius.
Can I choose the date?
No. Dates come from available stock and cannot be requested. The date is our pick, and the photos show one example.
Is the coin still spent as money in France?
No. France demonetized this coin on 25 June 1928. Today the Rooster trades on its gold and its history.
Want the design it replaced? See the .
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jordan.d (verified owner) –
Bought (6) of these beautiful Gold 20 franc rooster coins in great condition as advertised. As always extremely satisfied with entire transaction, thanks Hero Bullion!
christopher.r (verified owner) –
I was very pleased with my new Gold Rooster. I went back to buy another one but they were all sold out… I’m keeping an eye out for when HB gets more in.