Pre-SaleShips on or around {{presale_date}}
| Recommended Accessories | ||||
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| 22mm Coin Capsules for 1/4 oz Gold Eagles, Krugerrands & Pandas - Air-Tite A22 Direct Fit $1.99 | ||||
Please note this is a PRESALE item and is expected to ship on or around {{presale_date}}. ALL orders containing this product will be held from shipping until at least {{presale_date}}. This ship date may vary slightly as it is wholly dependent upon the mint meeting their production schedule.
{{/presale}}The French Gold Angel 20 Franc Coin, also known as the “Lucky Angel”, is a beautiful, legal tender coin minted by the Monnaie de Paris. This beautiful and popular coin is 90% gold, with a small amount of copper added for strength and durability since the coin was originally designed for circulation. The Gold Angel features a 20 Franc face value and 0.1867 troy ounces of actual gold weight. These coins were minted from 1848 to 1898. The date on the French Gold Angel 20 Franc coins you buy from BGASC will be chosen at random from our available inventory.
The “Lucky Angel” coin is a favorite among both collectors and investors for its gold content, beauty, history, and relatively short mintage period. The coin’s small size and angelic design make them great gifts.
Coin Highlights
The Angel represented on the obverse (front) is the guardian angel Genius as she inscribes the French Constitution upon a tablet next to a pillar and a rooster. The words “REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE” are above the angel. The reverse (back) displays the denomination (20 FRANC) 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 during three different periods in time. The coins that BGASC offers were all minted between 1848 and 1898 (although 20 Franc Angels were not produced during some of those years in between). The Angel design was also used for the 20 Franc gold coin in 1848 and 49, then again from 1899 to 1906, where the edge of the coins featured the inscription, ‘DIEU PROT’G’ LA FRANCE’. All French 20 Franc Angel gold coins were minted in Paris.
Why was this coin nicknamed the “Lucky Angel”?
The legend of “Lucky French Angels” began during the Reign of Terror. Augustine Dupre, the coin’s designer, was sentenced to be executed by guillotine during the French Revolution. There are a few different accounts of what happened next, but some say he used the gold coin to bribe a guard to let him escape, while others say he rubbed the coin while saying a prayer and lightning suddenly struck close by, causing enough commotion to halt his execution. One of our favorite versions describes how he was saved from the guillotine when the coin reflected a beam of sunlight in his jail cell so brilliantly that the guard on duty broke into tears at the sight, unlocked the cell door, and let Dupre make his escape. What we do know for sure is that these Gold Angel coins earned a reputation as being lucky and became known as Lucky Angels.
Each Gold “Lucky Angel” coin is packaged and shipped inside of a protective coin flip. You may also choose to add an A21 Air-Tite Coin Capsule (21.2mm) to your order to further protect your investment. If you have any questions about the 20 Franc Gold Angel coin or the purchasing process, call or email us and one of our friendly and knowledgeable staff members will be happy to assist you.
When the subtotal of your purchase, including applicable discounts, is $199 or more, you receive free shipping for your entire order. In order to receive free shipping on purchases of $199 or more, you must live within the 50 US states. For orders less than $199, a $9.95 shipping fee applies. All products are discreetly packaged and shipped with full insurance included.
Most BGASC orders are shipped within one (1) business day of your payment clearing. Payments made via PayPal clear instantly. Bitcoin payments clear instantly once the transaction is confirmed. Credit Card and bank wire payments process within 1 business day. ACH and paper check payments take 3-5 business days. Once payments are processed, products are released to fulfillment for packaging and shipping.
All orders of $199 or more that are eligible for free shipping are, by default, shipped via a carrier of our choice (USPS or UPS). Depending on the contents and size of your purchase, you may be able to upgrade to a specific carrier during checkout.
For those orders of $999.99 or less, there is no need to sign for your package. However, you may select the option to require a signature at delivery if you want. This can be chosen and paid for at checkout. All orders of $1000 or more require a signature to complete delivery.
BGASC is only able to ship to addresses in any of the 50 US states. This includes P.O. boxes and APO addresses.