French 40 Francs Gold Coin Louis-Philippe 1831-1839

This is the 40 French Franc gold coin issued between 1831 - 1839. It features the head of King Louis-Philippe - the last King of the Bourbon Restoration before France returned to being a republic state. The gold coin is 900 fineness, making it just shy of 22-carat gold. This was the common purity for bullion across Europe.

You will receive a year of our choosing for a 40 French Franc of this type.

The coin, like the 20 Franc, was designed by Joseph-François Domard, as stated at the bottom of the obverse side. It has the Laureate head portrait of King Louis-Philippe I. The text reads LOUIS-PHILIPPE I ROI DES FRANCAIS - 'King of France'.

The reverse of the coin has the value and the year, surrounded by a wreath, with a small star at the bottom. Commonly these coins had the phrase 'Dieux protège la France' - God protects France written on the edge.

Louis-Philippe ruled between 1830 and 1848, with the restoration of the monarchy after the defeat of the French Republic in the Napoleonic Wars. He abdicated the throne and fled to England in disguise as a Mr Smith in 1848, fearing another revolution. The monarchy was abolished later that year, but without the same level of bloodshed as the original event in the late 1700s. Napoleon III became the new ruler, replacing Louis-Philippe's nine-year-old grandson who had been nominated as heir.