The Angel design first appeared on the 1 Louis D’Or in 1792. The designer of that coin, Augustine Dupre, was sentenced to lose his head on the guillotine during the French Revolution. According to legend, however, Dupre was able to bribe his guard with the Angel coin he carried in his pocked and make his escape. Legend also says that Napoleon Bonaparte always carried an early French Angel in his pocket... until losing it the night before the fateful Battle at Waterloo. This Battle marked the beginning of his downfall. The French Angel is surrounded by more mystique than perhaps any other coin in our line of European Francs. Not only is it 90% pure gold, but its design is legendary for its purported ability to bring luck to its owner. Both investors and collectors love the French Angel 20 Franc gold coin for its storied history, innate beauty, high gold content, and relatively short mintage period. The Angel represented on the obverse is the guardian angel Genius as she inscribes the French Constitution upon a tablet next to a pillar and a rooster. The words "REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE" are above the angel. The reverse shows the denomination (20 FRANCS) and date encircled by a wreath. The words “LIBERTE EGALITE FRATERNITE” appear between the wreath and the rim. The design of this coin appeared on 20 Franc gold coins in three different periods. The coins that Goldline offers were all minted between 1871 and 1898, although several of those years yielded no 20 Franc Angels. The Angel design was also briefly used for the 20 Franc in 1848-49 and again from 1899 to 1906, where the edge of the coins featured the inscription, “DIEU PROTÉGÉ LA FRANCE”. All French 20 Franc Angel gold coins were minted in Paris. $324.95 Call us directly at 1-800-827-4653 to find out about volume discounts, current price specials and access to our complete selection of available coins. Account Executives are available from 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM PST, Monday through Friday (excluding most major holidays).