A 20-franc coin from 1806

An original gold coin with a face value of 20 francs (Napoleondor), minted in Paris in 1806. This specimen is a rare collector's type of the transitional period (1806-1807). The coin combines the imperial obverse with a portrait of Napoleon I with his head uncovered (without a laurel wreath, tête nue) and the inscription "NAPOLEON EMPEREUR", and the republican reverse with the circular legend "REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE". This type was minted for a very short time, since already from the middle of 1807, the portrait of Bonaparte on coins began to be crowned with a laurel wreath as a sign of his military triumphs.

900 gold, stamped. Weight 6.45 g. The diameter is 21 mm. Mint: Paris (letter "A") Circulation: 1319,865 copies General engraver of the mint type: Jean-Pierre Droz

Obverse: profile portrait of Emperor Napoleon I without a laurel wreath (with his head uncovered), facing left. There is a circular legend along the edge: "NAPOLEON EMPEREUR". Under the base of the neck there is a small signature of the author of the coin type DROZ F. Reverse: the face value of 20 FRANCS is indicated in the center in two lines, framed by a laurel wreath. There is a circular inscription "REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE" along the edge. The year of minting is indicated in the lower part — 1806. To the left of the year is the mint director's badge (rooster), to the right is the letter A (Paris). Edge: indented inscription in French "DIEU PROTEGE LA FRANCE" ("God protects France").

Guarantee of authenticity.

Very good collector's condition (VF / Very Fine). The coin has a pleasant natural shine and an even age-old patina. There is a slight uniform wear of small details of the hairstyle on the obverse and the structure of the wreath leaves on the reverse. The margins are clean, there are standard micro scratches and traces of short-term use. All legends, face value, year and mintmarks are read flawlessly. The edge is smooth, without cuts.

The year 1806 went down in history as the period of Napoleon's massive reforms. It was on January 1, 1806, that France officially returned to the Gregorian calendar, abolishing the republican calendar, which immediately affected the coinage. The type "uncovered head" (tête nue) was produced in gold for only two years (1806-1807) and is traditionally one of the most coveted targets for collectors of Napoleonic gold.