Counterfeit Detection: France 1905 20 Francs

In 1899, France began issuing Gold 20 Francs with a new design by Jules-Clément Chaplain, a renowned medalist and co-founder the Art Nouveau movement. The obverse features Marianne, the personification of the French Republic, while the reverse features a Gallic rooster, a longtime French symbol rooted in the similarities between the Latin words for Gaul and rooster. (The rooster’s proud pose seems echoed by the eagle on the US Indian Head Half Eagles issued starting in 1908.)

Genuine France 1905 20 Francs Click images to enlarge.

Genuine examples of the 1905 20 Francs are about the size of a US Nickel, contain about a fifth of an ounce of gold and command a modest numismatic premium in the marketplace. NGC recently received a purported example of this beautiful coin.

Counterfeit France 1905A 20 Francs Click images to enlarge.

Unfortunately for the submitter, the coin is not genuine. It has grainy surfaces and there are numerous raised lines in the fields, particularly around the word FRANÇAISE. In addition, the tiny letters that make up the designer’s name appear sloppy when viewed under magnification, particularly the 'N' at the end. It is likely these letters were added to the fake dies after the transfer-die process. Note also that the style of the ‘5’ in the date varies significantly on the fake from the genuine example, and the digits are all too rounded on the forgery.

Close-ups of the counterfeit (left) and genuine coin Click images to enlarge.

This coin does have the correct weight. And counterfeits like this one are generally struck in gold, but differences in the alloy result in a peculiar color that is noticeable by expert numismatists. Regardless of its intrinsic value, it cannot be certified by NGC, which backs its determinations of authenticity and grade with the NGC Guarantee.

Did you know? NGC has created a comprehensive Counterfeit Detection resource to help collectors and dealers identify counterfeit and altered coins. Visit NGCcoin.com/counterfeit.