French Gold 40 Francs

Emperor Napoleon I (minted 1807-1813)

Scarce VF/XF condition
Featuring Napoleon Bonaparte

"He is the sworn foe of our nation, and, if you will, the whole human race." -- Thomas Campbell "I considered Napoleon’s presence in the field equal to forty thousand men in the balance." -- The Duke of Wellington "There are but two powers in the world, the sword and the mind. In the long run the sword is always beaten by the mind." -- Napoleon Bonaparte

These beautiful and historic French Napoleon 40 francs are among our favorite 19th century European gold coins. Featuring the classic image of Emperor Napoleon I crowned with laurel leaves, struck during the height of his astonishing career, these coins are a “must-have” for military history buffs, European history buffs, and coin collectors alike.

Because of his overwhelming egotism, Napoleon ordered all gold coinage not bearing his image to be melted down. With no other gold coins available for daily use, 20 and 40 franc Napoleons were heavily circulated and became quite worn. Today, brilliant uncirculated examples are exceedingly rare, and Very Fine to Extra Fine (XF/AU) coins are also quite scarce. Our coins are among the very nicest available in the market.

The Genius of the Age

Admired by many as “the greatest man” and “genius” of his age, Napoleon Bonaparte stands alongside Alexander the Great as the most feared and respected military commander in European history. Until his famous defeat by Wellington and the British at Waterloo in 1815, Napoleon dominated European politics and military affairs as no one before him, leading France into its greatest period of glory and importance, only to lose it all to his relentless ambition for even greater power.

The Corsican Upstart

Rising from obscurity in Corsica to become First Consul of France in 1799, Consul for Life in 1802, and Emperor of the French in 1804, Napoleon was seen by many to embody the idea of an unlimited career open to individual talent. This was a truly revolutionary idea during an era when monarchs and aristocrats controlled every aspect of European life.

Among the ruling classes, however, Napoleon was demonized as a bloodthirsty conqueror who sought to overthrow the “natural order” of European society. Widely parodied in print as The Corsican Upstart, The Corsican Ogre, and The Beast of the Apocalypse, he was accused of being in league with the devil to subvert all goodness and civilization.

The Code Napoleon

Napoleon, however, proved to be not only a first-rate military strategist but an excellent civil administrator as well. With extraordinary energy, intelligence, and charisma, he devised and enacted fundamental changes in French government and social life that persist even to this day.

One of his greatest achievements was the Code Napoleon, or Civil Code, which revised French law to incorporate many of the freedoms gained during the French revolution. The Code introduced the concept of a unified, logical system of laws based on universal principles. Napoleon spread his Code into every country he defeated, helping to eliminate the last vestiges of feudalism throughout Europe.

French Napoleon 40 franc coins commemorate Napoleon’s meteoric career. Struck during the height of his power, these beautiful gold coins glorify the legacy of a man who continues to influence the world in profound ways today, nearly two centuries after this death.

French Gold 40 Francs, Emperor Napoleon I

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Design Specifications

Minted	1807-1813
Gold content	0.3734 oz.
Weight	12.9 grams

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