Republic of France, 20 Francs 1910

Marianne on the obverse and the Gallic Cock on the reverse – two emblems of France are here united on one gold coin. Marianne is the symbol of the Republic of France since the proclamation of the First Republic in 1792. As on this coin, she often appears with a liberty cap. Here she also wears a wreath of oak leaves, which symbolize strength and consistency. The Gallic Cock, the "coq gaulois," derives from the pun "gallus gallicus:" The Latin "gallicus" meaning "Gaul, Gallic," while "gallus" denotes a cock. The cock stands for vigilance and fighting spirit.