French 20 Franc Rooster: specifications, value and where to buy
The French 20 franc Rooster is a Paris Mint gold coin struck from 1899 to 1914 and restruck in the 1950s. It weighs 6.45 g, is 90% gold, holds 0.1867 troy ounce of pure gold and measures 21 mm. On 11 October 2026, Chards listed 1907 to 1914 coins at 5.6% over gold value.
France's 20 franc gold piece goes back to Napoleon, and for a century it was one of Europe's standard trade coins. The Rooster type, introduced under the Third Republic, is the version most buyers meet today. Millions survive, plus millions more official restrikes from the 1950s, which is why it trades close to its gold value.
What are the specifications of the French 20 franc Rooster?
| Issuer | French Third Republic, Paris Mint |
|---|---|
| Original years | 1899 to 1914 |
| Restrikes | Struck 1951 to 1960, dated 1907 to 1914 ("Pinay" restrikes) |
| Face value | 20 francs (no longer legal tender) |
| Weight | 6.45 g |
| Fineness | 0.900 (21.6 carat) |
| Fine gold | 0.1867 troy oz (5.81 g) |
| Diameter | 21 mm |
| Designer | Jules-Clément Chaplain (both sides) |
| Edge | DIEU PROTEGE LA FRANCE (1899 to 1906); LIBERTE EGALITE FRATERNITE (1907 onward) |
Sources: Chards product specifications; restrike dates from AOA. Fine gold in grams is our conversion.
The obverse shows Marianne, the symbol of the Republic, with REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE and the engraver's name, J C CHAPLAIN. The reverse shows the rooster with LIBERTE·EGALITE·FRATERNITE and "20 Fcs", with mint marks on either side of the date. Earlier 20 franc coins, such as the Napoleon types made from 1803, share the same gold content, because they were all made to the same standard that later underpinned the Latin Monetary Union.
What is a French 20 franc Rooster worth today?
| Quantity | GBP | USD | CAD | AUD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 coin | ... | ... | ... | ... |
| 20 coins (a roll) | ... | ... | ... | ... |
Spot-based melt values, not dealer prices. Last updated: Loading. Our coin melt value calculator handles mixed coins.
What do dealers charge? Bullion vs numismatic pricing
Ordinary Roosters sell as bullion: you pay the gold value plus a premium for minting and handling. Scarce dates and high grades sell to collectors at more. Our automated check of Chards at 11:35 UTC on 11 October 2026 found these single-coin prices, with gold at £3,171.45 per ounce (gold-api.com) and the gold in one coin worth £592.11.
| Product | Price | Premium over gold | Stock |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1907 to 1914 Rooster, best value (date of dealer's choice) | £625.50 | 5.64% | Out of stock |
| 1899 to 1906 Rooster, selected (date of dealer's choice) | £680.54 | 14.93% | In stock |
Premium calculated on gold-api.com spot; Chards shows its own premium figure using its own spot price. "Best value" coins may include Pinay restrikes dated 1907 to 1914.
The gap between the two lines is a small example of numismatic pricing: the earlier dates, with the DIEU PROTEGE LA FRANCE edge, are fewer in number and priced about 9 percentage points higher, although the gold is identical. If you only want the metal, the best value line is the one to watch. The Swiss 20 franc holds the same gold and was listed at £615.44 by the same dealer. See bullion vs numismatic coins for more on when date premiums make sense.
How is the French 20 franc Rooster taxed?
| Country | When you buy | When you sell at a gain |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | No VAT Investment gold coin (Notice 701/21A) | CGT applies Foreign coin |
| United States | State sales tax rules vary | Collectible rate up to 28% if held over a year (IRS Topic 409) |
| Canada | GST/HST applies 90% gold is under 99.5% (CRA 17.1) | Gains generally taxable |
| Australia | GST applies Under 99.5% fineness (GSTR 2003/10) | Generally subject to CGT |
The Rooster is not IRA eligible in the US: section 408(m) treats coins as collectibles unless they are specific listed US coins or bullion of futures-delivery fineness, and a 90% gold coin is neither. In the UK, the VAT exemption depends on the coin being sold for no more than 180% of its gold value; that is never an issue for bullion Roosters, but could be for rare dates.
Which years and versions exist?
| Version | Dates on coin | Edge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Rooster | 1899 to 1906 | DIEU PROTEGE LA FRANCE | Priced higher at Chards on 11 October 2026 |
| Later Rooster | 1907 to 1914 | LIBERTE EGALITE FRATERNITE | Most common bullion dates |
| Pinay restrike | 1907 to 1914 | As above | Struck 1951 to 1960 from older gold coins; quality close to originals |
AOA, a French bullion dealer, says the restrikes were made from clipped coins, coins damaged in the World Wars and coins that had been hidden away. Because they rarely circulated, they tend to be in good condition.
How do you spot a fake French 20 franc?
- Weigh and measure: 6.45 g and 21 mm.
- Check the edge lettering matches the date. An 1899 to 1906 coin should read DIEU PROTEGE LA FRANCE; a 1907 or later coin, LIBERTE EGALITE FRATERNITE.
- Look for the engraver's name J C CHAPLAIN on the obverse and crisp feather detail on the rooster.
- Buy from known dealers, especially for specific or scarce dates.
More tests are in how to tell if gold is real.
Where can you buy French 20 franc Roosters?
In the UK, Chards lists both Rooster lines (the 1899 to 1906 coins were in stock at our check), and BullionByPost and Atkinsons Bullion sell international gold coins. Compare the single-coin price with the melt value above, and with the Sovereign, which UK buyers can sell free of CGT. For beginners, our best gold coins for beginners and gold coins vs gold bars guides are good starting points, and all gold coin guides covers the alternatives.
Check French Roosters at Chards
Pros and cons
Pros
- Bullion coins trade close to gold value
- Small size for selling in small amounts
- VAT free in the UK
Cons
- CGT in the UK; sales tax in Canada and Australia
- Not IRA eligible
- Earlier dates carry a date premium
Frequently asked questions
How much gold is in a French 20 franc Rooster?
0.1867 troy ounce of pure gold. The coin weighs 6.45 g and is 90% gold (21.6 carat), with a diameter of 21 mm. That is the same gold content as a Swiss 20 franc Vreneli, because both follow the Latin Monetary Union standard.
What is a Pinay restrike?
Between 1951 and 1960 the French state restruck 20 franc Rooster coins bearing the dates 1907 to 1914, partly to reopen the gold market. They are named after Pinay, the minister of the time. They are official coins with the same gold content and normally trade as bullion.
What is the difference between 1899 to 1906 and 1907 to 1914 Roosters?
Mainly the edge inscription. Chards notes that coins struck from 1899 to 1906 read DIEU PROTEGE LA FRANCE on the edge, while those from 1907 read LIBERTE EGALITE FRATERNITE. The gold content is identical. In our 11 October 2026 check, Chards priced the earlier dates higher.
Is the French 20 franc Rooster VAT free in the UK?
Yes, when sold as bullion. It meets HMRC's investment gold coin tests: minted after 1800, at least 90% pure, formerly legal tender in France, and normally sold well below 180% of its gold value. Capital Gains Tax still applies, because it is not sterling.
Who designed the French 20 franc Rooster?
Jules-Clément Chaplain designed both sides: Marianne, the symbol of the French Republic, on the obverse with his name J C CHAPLAIN, and the Gallic rooster on the reverse. The design was introduced in 1899.
Sources
We checked these primary and official sources when writing and fact-checking this page.
- Chards: 1907 to 1914 gold French 20 francs Rooster best value (specifications; price captured 11 Oct 2026)
- Chards: 1899 to 1906 gold French 20 franc Rooster (edge lettering; price captured 11 Oct 2026)
- AOA (achat-or-et-argent.fr): 20 franc Napoleon coins and the Pinay restrikes
- Wikipedia: Vreneli (Latin Monetary Union 20 franc standard)
- HMRC VAT Notice 701/21A: Investment gold coins
- IRS Topic 409: Capital gains and losses
- 26 US Code 408(m): IRA collectibles rule
- Canada Revenue Agency: GST/HST Memorandum 17-1
- Australian Taxation Office: GSTR 2003/10
Not financial advice. GoldVetted provides general information to help you compare options. It is not personal financial, tax or legal advice. Gold prices go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you pay. Check tax rules with the official source or a qualified adviser before you act.