Introduction of the franc germinal in France
- When
- 1801–1804
- Where
- Paris
- Episodes
- 2
The franc germinal, established in 1803, defined the French franc as a bimetallic currency with specific gold and silver weights. This reform occurred during the Consulate, following the 1795 establishment of the decimal franc. The gold standard introduced in 1803 remained influential for subsequent governments, despite later changes in coin design and political regimes.
Episodes
- Introduction of Coin Denominations
Between 1801 and 1804, various silver and gold coin denominations were introduced, including the five-franc and 40-franc coins.
- Establishment of the Franc Germinal
In 1803, the franc germinal was established, defining the gold franc's weight. This occurred during the Consulate, following earlier decimal reforms.
Background and detail
Background. The French franc was established as a decimal currency in 1795, replacing the livre tournois. It was defined as 4.5 grams of fine silver. France was an early adopter of decimal currency, following Russia and the United States. The 1795 franc served as the basis for the monetary system until the specific gold standard was formalized in 1803.
Consulate Reforms. During the Consulship period (1799–1804), silver francs were struck in decimal coinage. Various denominations were introduced between 1801 and 1804, including the five-franc coin in 1801–02 and gold 40-franc coins in 1802–03. Copper coins were rarely issued during this period, making the quarter franc the lowest denomination in circulation.
Legacy and Standard. The gold franc established in 1803 contained 290.034 mg of fine gold. This weight standard was maintained by succeeding governments, although coin designs changed to reflect political history. The original 1795 franc germinal was eventually replaced in 1929 by the franc Poincaré, which was valued at 20% of the 1803 gold standard.
People involved
- National Convention · Established the decimal franc in 1795
- Napoleon Bonaparte · His name appeared on franc coinage; after his 1804 coronation the obverse legend changed to "Napoléon Empereur", and the 1803 gold weight standard was later maintained by succeeding governments
Sources
- French franc Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-26
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