Coin dealer directory
History of money: France
From the first coins to today – and where to find coin dealers.
French money grew out of Charlemagne's silver denier and the livre tournois, an accounting unit of 20 sous or 240 deniers used until the Revolution. The first franc, the gold 'franc à cheval', was struck in 1360 for the ransom of King John II; the gold louis d'or followed in 1640.
The 'franc germinal' of 1803 fixed the franc's gold and silver content; Napoleon's 20-franc gold piece gave its name to every 'napoléon' since. France led the Latin Monetary Union from 1865. In 1960 the 'nouveau franc' replaced 100 old francs.
France adopted the euro in 2002 (6.55957 francs per euro). Collectors look for royal coins, napoléons, the silver 5-franc Semeuse of 1959–1969 and the Monnaie de Paris, one of the oldest institutions in the world still striking coins.
Coin dealers – France
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