Are you thinking about adding valuable French coins to your collection? French coinage has an exciting history filled with ups and downs, surviving wars, economic crises, and political twists.
France used its own coins up until 2000, when the country switched to the Euro as its official currency for the European Union.
So, which French coins are the most valuable? These prized coins include old French currencies that go back as far as the 1800s.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the most valuable French coins out there. Let’s dive in and discover these rare, fascinating coins you could add to your collection!
Brief History of French Coins
In 1360, King Jean II Le Bon of France introduced the first franc by passing a law to create these new gold coins. The coins served as ransom payments to secure the King’s release after his capture by King Edward III of England. Upon gaining freedom, King Jean proudly declared that France was now “franc” (meaning independent) and free forever.
In 1641, King Louis XII ended the franc’s status as legal currency, replacing it with the silver ecu and gold Louis. However, people continued using the word “franc” for many years afterward.
Under King Louis XIV, France fought numerous wars that eventually led to a major coin shortage. To address this, the government founded the Banque générale privée (The General Private Bank) in 1716 to issue paper money and ease the coin shortage. Around the same time, they established the Compagnie des Indes (The Company of the Indies), which monopolized trade. This monopoly fueled intense speculation in the Company’s shares, causing high inflation and eventually leading to a collapse of the money system.
In 1726, the government tried to stabilize the financial system by minting gold Louis coins, first valued at 20 pounds and later at 24 pounds. Although these changes helped, France still faced a financial crisis. On the verge of bankruptcy, the government introduced paper money and passed new laws to regulate coin production.
In 1795, the 28 Thermidor law brought back the term “franc,” declaring that all currency would use this name. The law also set the coin’s composition, specifying nine parts silver to one part alloy, with each franc coin weighing 5 grams.
One of the most important laws, passed in 1803, was the 7 Germinal law, which defined the value of gold and silver coins. According to this law, coins in ¼, ½, ¾, 1, 2, and 5 francs would be made of silver, while 20 and 40 franc coins would be gold.
The first 1-franc coin was minted in 1795 and featured the portrait of the First Consul or head of state on the reverse side. These coins remained in use as legal tender until 2000 when France adopted the Euro as its national currency upon joining the European Union.
Most Valuable French Coin Worth Money
The “Most Valuable French Coin Worth Money” holds a special place for collectors and history lovers. This coin, often from rare or limited-edition series, attracts attention due to its historical value, unique design, and age. Its worth can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on its rarity, condition, and year of minting.
Collectors treasure these coins not just for their monetary value but also for the story they tell about France’s past. If you’re interested in valuable French coins, keep an eye out for these rare finds—they could be worth a lot more than you think!
1. 1815 Napoleon 5 Francs
In 1815, the Mint struck a batch of 2-franc and 5-franc coins to mark Bonaparte’s return from exile. The Numismatic Guaranty Company graded this 5-franc coin with an MS64 rating, the same as the 2-franc version. Interestingly, only four examples of this coin exist, and a few of them are slightly finer, nearly reaching gem quality.
Finding an 1815 Mint coin is rare, making it a true treasure for collectors. This particular piece, graded in mint condition, drew a lot of attention for its striking luster and unique golden tone, adding to its intrigue.
When a rare 1815 Napoleon 5 Franc specimen went up for auction in 2022, a determined buyer offered $24,000 and successfully won it by the auction’s end. Don’t miss out! Check our previously published article on Most Valuable Japanese Coins.
2. 1815 Napoleon 2 Francs
The 2 francs coin was first minted in 1815 to celebrate two important events: the return of King Louis XVIII to power and Napoleon Bonaparte’s comeback from exile.
Though not extremely rare, a few examples of this coin still exist today. However, none are in better condition than this particular example, which amazed collectors by being in mint state with an MS64 grade from the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS). This grade is almost gem quality, which is rare for coins from this time.
Only two examples of the 1815 Napoleon 2 Francs have ever reached mint state. This one, with its impressive MS64 rating, fetched a notable $12,000 at a 2022 auction.
3. 1641 Louis XIII Louis d’Or
In 1641, Louis XIII replaced francs with a new gold coin he called the Louis d’Or (gold Louis). This decision caused some controversy, but there’s no denying the enchanting beauty of these early gold coins.
The Louis d’Or coins minted in 1641 are extremely rare, with only three known to exist. Recently, one of these rare coins came up for auction.
Graded MS62 by NGC, this coin received high praise for its quality. Every detail on both the front and back is crisp and well-defined, from the flat surfaces to the raised points. The coin’s brilliant luster is remarkable, especially for its age.
A key feature of a proof 1641 Louis d’Or is the detail in the King’s hair. On proof coins, each hair strand and facial feature stands out clearly. On the reverse, an intricate fleur-de-lis pattern appears, made from the letter “L” to represent Louis.
In 2022, a rare example of this coin sold for an impressive $19,000.
4. Napoleon Essai Monetaire
The Essai Monetaire is a unique and rare French coin featuring two denominations. On the reverse side, you can see both denominations, 5 and 25, on a single coin.
Experts believe these coins were made to showcase at one of France’s money conferences. They struck this test coin specifically for the 1867 international currency conference held in Paris.
On the obverse side, you’ll find a left-facing portrait of Napoleon III, with the word “BARRE” engraved at the bottom. The reverse side shows the double denominations along with the inscription “OR. ESSAI. MONETAIRE, 1867.”
This particular coin is a proof version minted just for collectors and display. According to NGC, it received a PF63 grade, meaning it’s in excellent mint condition with only a few minor contact marks.
There aren’t many old proof coins from the 1800s, so when this one was offered for sale, it drew a lot of attention, eventually selling for $16,000 at a 2022 auction.
5. 1724 Louis XV Louis d’Or
This beautiful gold coin, struck in 1724 during Louis XV’s reign, is a real treasure. The front, or obverse, shows a right-facing portrait of Louis XV with a laurel crown, and the date below it. Around the portrait, the caption reads, “Louis XV, by the grace of God, King of France and Navarre.”
The back, or reverse, has a delicate design featuring two intertwined L’s topped with a crown and surrounded by long Mirliton palms. The inscription on the reverse says, “Christ reigns, conquers and commands.”
The Louis XV d’Or gold coin was only produced in 1724 and 1725, with production stopping after that. Coins from 1724 are especially rare today because many were found in a shipwreck near Nova Scotia and suffered water damage. As a result, most of the remaining coins are in poor condition. However, one of these coins earned the remarkable grade of MS62, making it the best-preserved coin of its kind.
This MS62 coin went up for auction and achieved a remarkable sale price of $17,600.
6. 1720 Louis XV, Gold Louis d’Or
This error coin, dated 1720 but struck on a 1718 coin, shows a subtle trace of the original 1718 date. You can still make out the underlying date if you look closely. Mistakes like this were common since minting technology back then wasn’t very advanced. However, this particular error coin is rare for its date, which makes it quite appealing to collectors.
Most examples of this coin are in Very Fine (VF) condition, meaning many details are missing, and the coin’s luster is dull. These VF coins usually sell for around $1,000 to $2,000. However, one rare piece graded AU58 went up for auction in 2022 and sold for $9,600. Even though it was somewhat worn, the coin still had visible details on both the front and back.
7. 1722 Louis XV Coronation Gold Coin
In 1722, France celebrated the crowning of King Louis XV with coins that captured the moment. On the front, the coin shows King Louis, while the back displays a stunning scene of his anointment at Reims.
To mark the occasion, they issued silver and brass versions of these coins to the cheering crowds at the coronation. However, a few lucky spectators received coins made of gold instead.
Today, only a few of these gold coins still exist, making them highly sought after by collectors. One gold coin, graded MS62, sold for an impressive $18,000 at auction. Looking for more insights? Check our previously published article on Valuable Challenge Coins.
8. 1640 Louis XIII 10 Louis d’Or
In 1640, during the reign of King Louis XIII, the Mint created a 10 Louis gold coin, also known as the Louis d’Or. This large coin weighs 67 grams and has a diameter of 44 millimeters.
Not much has been written about this coin, but it’s likely that the 10 Louis d’Or wasn’t intended to be used as regular currency. Instead, it may have been used for entertainment, such as gambling in casinos.
Despite this, it’s still considered a coin in the numismatic world and is one of the most valuable French coins. Only a few of these coins are known to exist today, and all are worth a lot of money. For instance, one coin graded MS61 was auctioned in 2021 and sold for a staggering $456,000.
9. 1670 Louis XIV 15 Sols (1/4 Ecu)
King Louis XIV ordered the creation of new coins for his latest colonies, especially those in the West Indies.
The 15-sols coin is especially rare, with only about 40,000 coins minted. A few entered circulation, while others were melted down for their gold content.
Most of the surviving coins are graded as XF45, meaning they are very worn, with many details smoothed out and the surfaces dulled. Despite this, the coin’s rarity still adds to its value.
One of these rare coins was sold in 2020. Even though it had poor detail, it was graded AU53 and sold for an impressive $132,000.
Conclusion
The saying “old is gold” perfectly fits French coins. Many of the most valuable French coins are over twenty years old, and the few left in circulation can be worth a small fortune. Be careful of counterfeits. If you have any French coins or plan to buy some, it’s a good idea to have a professional coin grading company verify their authenticity.