From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
The napoleon is a former French gold coin. It was minted in one denomination, 20 francs. The coin was produced between 1805 and 1807, 21 mm across it weighs 6.45 grams and is .900 gold. The coin was issued during the reign of Napoleon I and feature his head in a laurel wreath and the words Napoleon Empereur on the obverse.
The coin continued in use through the 19th century and later French gold coins in the same denomination were generally referred to a 'napoleons'.
