How Much Is A French 20 Francs Gold Rooster Worth?
Values for the 20 francs rooster run from about gold value + 2–6% (Circulated (bullion)) to modest premiums (Scarcer dates in true mint state). Here is what separates the bottom of that range from the top — and how to find out where your coin lands.
History of the French 20 Francs Gold Rooster
The Coq d’Or — Marianne on one side, the Gallic rooster on the other — is continental Europe’s favorite small gold coin. Struck from 1899 to 1914 under the Latin Monetary Union standard, it matches the Swiss Vreneli and Italian and Belgian 20-franc pieces in weight and fineness, making all of them interchangeable bullion in European trade.
The French central bank restruck roosters in the 1950s using original dates, so individual dates are rarely scarce. The coin trades as compact, highly liquid bullion — a favorite of French and Benelux savers for over a century.
The 20 francs rooster was struck from 1899 to 1914 in 90% gold. Each coin weighs 6.45 grams (0.1867 oz gold). Production took place at Paris.
How much is a 20 francs rooster worth?
Like every collectible coin, the value of a 20 francs rooster comes down to grade, rarity and demand. The ranges below are approximate retail prices collectors pay for problem-free examples — coins that have been cleaned, scratched or holed usually trade well below these figures.
Printed price guides age quickly. The most honest benchmark is what comparable coins actually sold for. AI Coin Collector gives you a starting point: the Numista catalogue price per grade, from VG to UNC, whenever it identifies a coin.
- Circulated (bullion): gold value + 2–6%
- Uncirculated: gold value + 5–12%
- Scarcer dates in true mint state: modest premiums
How to identify a genuine French 20 Francs Gold Rooster
Before you get excited about a potential find, confirm that the coin in your hand matches the genuine article. Work through this checklist:
When a coin fails any of these checks, treat it with suspicion. Modern counterfeits can be convincing at arm's length, but weight, dimensions and die details rarely lie.
- Standard: 6.45 grams of .900 gold, 21 mm — Latin Monetary Union specifications.
- Edge lettering changed in 1907 from "Dieu protège la France" to "Liberté Égalité Fraternité," splitting the series into two types.
- 1950s restrikes are indistinguishable from originals for practical purposes and trade identically.
Check your 20 francs rooster with AI Coin Collector
The fastest way to find out what you have is to photograph the coin with AI Coin Collector. Our own AI vision model suggests what it is (you check and adjust the suggestion), the app estimates a grade on the Sheldon 1–70 scale, and shows the Numista catalogue price per grade.
From there you can add the coin to a collection, see the collection’s total value and export it to CSV. The app is free to start and comes to Android first.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a 20 francs rooster worth?
Broadly, examples at the bottom of the market (Circulated (bullion)) trade around gold value + 2–6%, while the strongest pieces (Scarcer dates in true mint state) bring modest premiums. Grade, rarity and eye appeal decide where a specific coin lands, and problem-free coins always bring the best prices.
How can I tell if my 20 francs rooster is genuine?
Start with the physical basics: standard: 6.45 grams of .900 gold, 21 mm — Latin Monetary Union specifications. Counterfeits usually fail on weight, dimensions or fine die details, so compare your coin against verified reference photos before paying a premium.
Can an app identify and value my 20 francs rooster?
Yes. AI Coin Collector suggests an identification from a single photo using our own AI vision model — you check and adjust it — estimates a Sheldon grade from 1 to 70, and shows the Numista catalogue price per grade.