Description
20 Francs Cérès (1848–1852) – French Republic gold coin
The 20-franc Cérès gold coin is one of the earliest and most historically significant gold coins of the Second French Republic. It was minted from 1848 to 1852, after the French Republic was established following the 1848 revolution. The coin is named after Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture and fertility, whose image symbolised prosperity and republican values.
The obverse shows the portrait of Cérès with a wreath of wheat ears, surrounded by the inscription RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE. The reverse shows the arms of the French Republic with the denomination, the year of minting and the motto LIBERTÉ ÉGALITÉ FRATERNITÉ (“Liberty, Equality, Fraternity”).
Technical specifications:
- Country: French Republic
- Period: 1848–1852
- Denomination: 20 francs
- Metal: 900 fine gold
- Total weight: 6.4516 g
- Pure gold content: 5.806 g (0.1867 troy ounces)
- Diameter: 21 mm
- Edge: inscribed DIEU PROTÈGE LA FRANCE (“God protects France”)
The 20-franc Cérès gold coins are highly valued by numismatists for their short minting period, historical context and classic 19th-century French coin design. It is not only an investment gold coin but also an important witness to the history of the French Republic. The coin’s value depends on the year of minting, mint mark, condition, rarity and the gold market price.
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