Description
The 40 Franc coin was a French gold coin introduced between 1802 and 1804 during the Consulship period of the French government. With the advent of the Napoleonic Empire in 1804, the 40 French Franc coins became a staple currency of that era. The Gold Napoleon Francs were minted over a period of eleven years and featured three different designs. The early Gold Napoleon Francs are often marked with ‘AN 12’ instead of a traditional year, as France was using the revolutionary calendar at that time. Eventually, the coins reverted to standard year markings.
The obverse side of the coin showcases the bare head of Bonaparte facing left, with the signature “Tiolier” in cursive below it. The reverse side displays a crown formed by two olive branches. The coin has a gold purity of 90% and weighs 12.90 grams.