A France 10 Francs (Gold) contains 0.0933 troy oz of pure gold, worth $373.07 at today's spot price.
France struck small 10-franc gold coins to the Latin Monetary Union standard of 90% gold from 1850 to 1914. The main types are Ceres, Napoleon III and the Rooster (Coq), designed by Jules-Clement Chaplain.
Melt values use these spot prices (US dollars):
- Gold $3,996.90 per troy oz Current quote · Quote time Oct 23, 7:10 PM EDT
Some prices could not be refreshed recently and may be out of date.
Melt value is the metal content at spot price, not a buy or sell price. Collectible coins can be worth much more. For reference only.
Specifications
| Years | 1850–1914 |
|---|---|
| Face value | 10 Francs |
| Composition | 90% gold |
| Gross weight | 3.226 g |
| Fineness | .900 (90%) |
| Pure metal | 0.0933 troy oz (2.903 g) |
How the melt value is worked out
Melt value is the pure gold in the coin multiplied by the spot price. We use the coin's standard minted weight; worn coins weigh slightly less.
-
3.226 g × .900 fine ÷ 31.1035 g per troy oz = 0.0933 troy oz
0.0933 troy oz × $3,996.90 spot = $373.07
How to identify it
- Ceres type (1850–1851 and 1878–1899): a head of Ceres with REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE; the reverse has the value inside a wreath.
- Napoleon III type (1854–1868): his bare head on the earlier coins and a laureate head in the 1860s, with NAPOLEON III EMPEREUR and EMPIRE FRANCAIS. Look for the mint mark A (Paris) or BB (Strasbourg) on the reverse.
- Rooster type (1899–1914): Marianne facing right in a Phrygian cap with REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE; the reverse shows a rooster with LIBERTE EGALITE FRATERNITE, the value and the date.
Melt value vs. collector value
Common Rooster and Napoleon III dates usually sell for close to their gold value. Low-mintage dates, such as the special 1878 and 1889 Ceres strikings, and coins in very high grade can be worth far more.