France 1886-A 20 francs

from the Mountain Groan Collection

This specimen is a common date of a series struck 1871-98. This type revives the type struck 1848-49 during the Second Republic. All 86 million were struck at the Paris mint. Most dates are readily available; only the 1888-A is rare. This type is commonly called an "angel" by American dealers but the French name "Génie" is more accurate, as the figure is the Genius of France inscribing the Constitution. It was officially withdrawn from circulation in 1928 and demonetized in 2005 but ceased to circulate after World War One.

Recorded mintage: 984,875.

Specification: 6.45 g, 0.900 fine gold, 21 mm diameter, edge lettered DIEU PROTEGE LA FRANCE, revival of a design by Augustin Dupré (1748-1833).

Catalog reference: F.533/9, KM 825.

Source:

• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
• Gadoury, Victor, Monnaies Françaises, 1789-2019, 24me éd., Monaco: Éditions Victor Gadoury, 2019.
• Prieur, Michel, and Laurent Schmitt, Le Franc 10: Les Monnaies, Paris: Éditions les Chevau-légers, 2014.

Link to:

• 1879-A 20 francs
• 1886-A centime
• 1886-A 2 centimes
• 1886-A 10 centimes
• 1886-A 50 centimes "Cérès head"
• 1887-A 20 francs "Génie"
• Coins and currency dated 1886