10 French Francs Marianne Rooster Gold Coin | 1899-1914

10 French Francs Marianne Rooster Gold Coin | 1899-1914 | Third Republic

The 10 French Francs Marianne Rooster Gold Coin (1899-1914) is a pre-war French gold coin struck by the Paris Mint (Monnaie de Paris). Produced during the final decades of the French Third Republic, it contains 2.90 g of .900 fine gold (total weight 3.23 g) and reflects the nationalist iconography of an era defined by industrial expansion, colonial reach and the cultural confidence of the Belle Époque.

Specifications

• Country of issue: France (Third Republic)
• Mint: Monnaie de Paris (Paris Mint)
• Years of issue: 1899-1914
• Metal: Gold
• Fineness: .900 / 900/1000 (21.6-carat)
• Total weight: 3.23 g
• Fine gold content: approx. 2.90 g
• Diameter: 19 mm
• Obverse: Marianne (Dupuis type) — profile with oak and laurel wreath
• Reverse: Gallic Rooster (Chaplain design) — LIBERTÉ ÉGALITÉ FRATERNITÉ
• Packaging: Protective capsule

About this Coin

The obverse bears the Marianne portrait by sculptor Daniel Dupuis — a graceful profile adorned with an oak and laurel wreath, surrounded by the inscription RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE. Marianne is the national personification of France and of the Republic's values: liberty, equality, fraternity. On the reverse stands the Gallic Rooster designed by Jules-Clément Chaplain — a symbol of France since antiquity, representing vigilance, courage and the dawn of a new day. Around it appear the Republic's motto and the denomination 10 FRANCS. Together, obverse and reverse make this one of the most artistically coherent of all French gold coins.

The 10 Franc piece is the smaller sibling of the famous 20 Franc Napoleon. Both share the same .900 fineness and the Rooster/Marianne theme; the 10 Franc is simply more compact and lower in entry price, making it ideal for fractional gold collecting. Browse all historic European gold coins at GoldInvest24.

Why buy from GoldInvest24

• Authentic Third Republic originals — genuine pre-1914 French gold
• Supplied in a protective capsule — safe storage from day one
• Insured delivery across Europe — shipped to all EU member states
• VAT-exempt gold bullion — .900 fineness meets EU investment gold criteria

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much gold does the 10 Franc Marianne Rooster contain? A: Each coin weighs 3.23 g at .900 fineness, giving approximately 2.90 g of pure gold. This is half the gold content of the 20 Franc version of the same design.

Q: Who designed the Marianne and Rooster motifs? A: The obverse Marianne was sculpted by Daniel Dupuis; the reverse Gallic Rooster is by Jules-Clément Chaplain. Both were among the most celebrated French medallists of the late 19th century.

Q: Why do coins come from various years (1899-1914)? A: France produced 10 Franc gold pieces throughout this period at the Paris Mint. The specific year you receive will vary, but all share the same Marianne/Rooster design, fineness and weight.

Q: Is this coin VAT-exempt? A: Yes. At .900 fineness and a weight above the EU 1 g minimum, it qualifies as investment-grade gold and is VAT-exempt in Poland and across the European Union.