Selling your gold coins: first find out what they are worth
If you are thinking of selling gold coins in Le Havre, know this first: most sell for the weight of their gold. Not all of them: a rare year, a little-used mint or very fine condition can change the price. Before selling, have them looked at by a numismatist.
- Free valuation, no obligation
- Mon – Sat, 9 am – 7 pm
- 5.0 out of 5 on Google, 30 reviews as of 31 October 2026
You will be welcomed by Bertrand Mathieu, numismatists and managers of the shop.
What we look at before making an offer
- The type and the dateNapoleon I, Ceres, Napoleon III, Genius, Rooster: for the same weight of gold, some types and some years were struck in far smaller numbers.
- The mintA for Paris, B for Rouen, K for Bordeaux… The same year can be common in Paris and rare at another mint.
- The conditionA little-worn coin, with crisp relief and its original lustre, can be worth noticeably more than a coin that has circulated a lot.
- AuthenticityWeighing on precision scales, measuring, loupe, magnet test or touchstone test if needed.
Coins not to sell by weight without having them checked
- Louis d'or and all gold coins from before the Revolution: their value depends mainly on condition and rarity, not on weight.
- The 20 francs Napoleon I and Ceres, struck over short periods, and the 40 francs.
- Coins struck in Rouen, marked B, and those of the mints that produced little.
- Sovereigns and half sovereigns, whose small mint mark (S, M, P, SA…) singles out certain dates.
- Coins in very fine condition, whatever their type.
And those worth their gold
The Roosters restruck after the war with the old dates, the restruck 50 pesos, Krugerrands, Maple Leafs and the other investment coins: their price follows the gold price. We tell you that clearly too.
What your gold coins contain
| Coin | Country | Years | Fineness | Fine gold |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 francs gold, Napoleon I | France | 1803-1815 | 900‰ | 5.806 g |
| 40 francs gold | France | 1803-1839 | 900‰ | 11.613 g |
| 20 francs gold, Louis XVIII, Charles X, Louis-Philippe | France | 1814-1848 | 900‰ | 5.806 g |
| 20 francs gold, Ceres | France | 1849-1851 | 900‰ | 5.806 g |
| 20 francs gold, Napoleon III | France | 1853-1870 | 900‰ | 5.806 g |
| 20 francs gold, Genius | France | 1848-1898 | 900‰ | 5.806 g |
| 10 francs gold (Ceres, Napoleon III, Rooster) | France | 1850-1914 | 900‰ | 2.903 g |
| 50 francs gold | France | 1855-1904 | 900‰ | 14.516 g |
| 100 francs gold | France | 1855-1914 | 900‰ | 29.032 g |
| 20 francs gold, Rooster and Marianne | France | 1899-1914 | 900‰ | 5.806 g |
| 20 marks | Germany | 1871-1915 | 900‰ | 7.168 g |
| Sovereign and half sovereign | United Kingdom | since 1817 | 916.7‰ | 7.322 g |
| 50 pesos | Mexico | 1921-1947 | 900‰ | 37.5 g |
| Krugerrand | South Africa | since 1967 | 916.7‰ | 31.103 g |
| 20 francs Vreneli | Switzerland | 1897-1949 | 900‰ | 5.806 g |
| $20 Liberty and Saint-Gaudens | United States | 1850-1933 | 900‰ | 30.093 g |
| Belgian 20 francs, 20 lire, 20 francs Helvetia | Belgium, Italy, Switzerland | 1861-1914 | 900‰ | 5.806 g |
| Ducat and 4 ducats | Austria | 1915 (restrikes) | 986‰ | 3.441 g |
| 10 guilders | Netherlands | 1875-1933 | 900‰ | 6.056 g |
Coin pages not yet available in English open in French.
How the price is set
For a common gold coin, the price offered is based on the day's spot price, minus transaction costs and margin. The gold price moves every day: the offer is therefore valid on the day it is made.
When a coin is worth more than its gold, a premium is added. It varies with the rarity of the coin and is always stated before the sale, so that you can make an informed choice. You remain free to compare.
On the day of the sale
- A valid ID. Sellers must be 18 or over.
- A written contract, listing each coin and its price.
- Payment on signature, by cheque or bank transfer (instant transfer), never in cash.
- A 48-hour withdrawal period (Article L224-99 of the French Consumer Code), except for investment gold.
To go further (pages in French): the table of all gold coins, 19th-century coins, foreign coins.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the metal value and the buying price?
The metal value is the weight of fine gold multiplied by the day's spot price. The buying price is based on the day's spot price, minus transaction costs and margin. For a rare or very well preserved coin, a premium is added; it is stated before the sale.
Are all my napoléons worth the same?
The common 20 francs coins (Rooster, Genius, Napoleon III) all contain 5.806 g of fine gold. Most sell at the same price, but some rarer years or mints are exceptions: this is what we check coin by coin.
Is tax due when I sell?
Tax rules depend on your situation. Ask us about the tax rules that apply to you before the sale.
Can you buy a coin that has been mounted as jewellery?
Yes. A coin soldered onto a mount generally loses its collector value, but the gold keeps its value.