The gold Franc was introduced during the rule of Napoleon Bonaparte in the mid 18th century. With the formation of the Latin Monetary Union, the Franc was chosen as the de facto reserve currency due to its easy convertibility from gold to Silver. It could be converted at a ratio of 1-15.5.
Like the gold Ducat and the Sovereign, the 20 gold Franc is a top choice among investors. They are priced much lower than modern fractional gold coins that carry excessive premiums. Collectors also prefer them for their value,sharp details, and rich history..
The Marianne gold rooster was issued in 1899 and struck through 1914. Following the Second World War, re-strikes of the Marianne rooster were struck, using only dates from 1907 and onward. All 20 gold Francs are struck in just under 1/5th of an ounce (.1867-oz) in 22-kt gold.