How to Identify the French 40 Francs Gold (Napoleon)

What It Is

The 40 francs gold piece was introduced under the French Consulate and Empire in the early 1800s as part of Napoleon's new decimal gold coinage. It circulated during a period when France was replacing the old livre system, and its portrait changed over time to reflect Napoleon's evolving political status.

Obverse Design

Early strikes show Napoleon Bonaparte as "Premier Consul" with a bare head facing right and the legend "BONAPARTE PREMIER CONSUL." After he became emperor, the obverse was changed to "NAPOLEON EMPEREUR" with a laureate head, showing him crowned with a laurel wreath in the Roman imperial style.

Reverse Design

The reverse carries the denomination "40 FRANCS" within or below a wreath, along with the date and, on Republic-era issues, references to the Republic ("REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE"); later issues after the Empire was declared show "EMPIRE FRANCAIS" instead.

Size, Weight, and Metal

The coin is struck in .900 fine gold, weighing approximately 12.9 grams with a diameter around 26 mm. The edge carries an incuse or raised lettered inscription depending on the exact type, often a motto used on French gold coinage of the era.

Mint Marks and Where to Find Them

A mint mark letter (identifying the French provincial mint that struck the piece, such as A for Paris) appears on the reverse near the date, along with a mint director's privy mark, a small symbol unique to the official overseeing production at the time.

Telling It Apart from Similar Coins

The 40 francs is often confused with the more common 20 francs gold Napoleon, which shares the same portrait styles but is smaller and lighter. Always compare diameter and weight, since worn coins can look deceptively similar at a glance. Later 20-franc "Napoleon" restrikes from the Second Empire (Napoleon III) also share the family name but show a different, younger portrait and different dates.

Judging Condition at a Glance

Look at the high points: Napoleon's cheek, ear, and hair curls, or the laurel leaves, for signs of flattening. A sharp, well-centered strike with clear denticles around the rim indicates a higher-grade example, while soft details and heavy rim wear suggest a well-circulated coin.

Authenticity Red Flags

Because early Napoleon-era gold has been reproduced and lightly gold-plated in copies for over a century, check weight and diameter carefully, verify the edge lettering matches the correct type for the date range, and be suspicious of coins with mushy details, incorrect coloring, or an edge that shows a plating seam.