French Gold 20 Francs “Ceres”

(Minted 1849-1851)
Extra Fine (XF) condition

Featuring Ceres, Roman Goddess of Agriculture

These fascinating and historically important French 20 francs gold coins were minted for just three years (1849-1851) during the short-lived Second Republic of France. The Second Republic came to power as a result of the 1848 Revolution, but was soon ended by a coup by Louis Napoleon, nephew of Napoleon I, initiating the Second Empire in 1852.

Featuring the image of Ceres, Roman goddess of agriculture and grain, these coins make a unique and lovely addition to any world gold collection.

The power of a mother’s love

Known as Demeter in Greek mythology, Ceres was the sister of the Roman goddesses Vesta and Juno, and the gods Neptune, Pluto, and Jupiter, the king of the gods.

Linked directly to the fertility of Mother Nature and the hope for productive farming cycles, the worship of Ceres was based on the story of the abduction of her daughter, Proserpina (Persephone, in Greek) by Pluto (Hades) to his domain in the underworld. While her daughter was missing, Ceres’ mourning was so profound that agriculture was disrupted and all of humanity suffered.

The origin of winter

Because of the power of Ceres’ love for Proserpina, Jupiter (Zeus, in Greek) intervened with Pluto to have her restored to the land of the living. During her captivity, however, Proserpina had eaten of the food of Pluto, which rendered her unable to live permanently above ground. She was required to revisit the underworld for a portion of each year. During Proserpina’s annual return to Pluto, Ceres would mourn her loss anew, causing crops to lie dormant once again. Thus the season of winter was created.

From the name Ceres is derived the word cereal. She is frequently depicted carrying a wheat sheaf, torch, poppy capsules, and a sacrificial bowl. Often veiled because she mourns her daughter, Ceres has become a fitting emblem of the power of a mother's love.

Cosmic justice

An asteroid named after Ceres was recently promoted to the classification of "dwarf planet." In what might be called an act of cosmic poetic justice, Pluto was recently demoted from full planetary status to the same “dwarf” classification.

Our Ceres French 20 francs are in circulated Extra Fine (XF) condition and make a fascinating addition to any collection of world gold coins.

French Gold 20 Francs, Ceres

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Design Specifications

Minted	1849-1851
Gold content	0.1867 oz.
Size	21 mm diameter

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