French Gold Bullion Coin to Launch in 2026, Offering New Investment Opportunity
Paris, January 27, 2026 – The Monnaie de Paris is preparing to release a new legal tender gold investment coin, named the “Bullion,” in the second quarter of 2026. This initiative comes as gold prices continue to reach new highs, aiming to provide French investors with a domestic option for physical gold investment.
The new Bullion coin, made of 100% pure gold, will be available in four versions and will carry legal tender status. This means it can be used as an investment vehicle, similar to other legal tender gold coins such such as the Australian Nugget, Britannia, Vera Valor, US Eagle, Krugerrand, Maple Leaf, Philharmoniker, and Sovereign.
Historical Context and the Name ‘Bullion’
The term “bullion” is an English translation for an ingot, typically of gold or silver. According to the Cambridge University dictionary, bullion refers to “bars of gold or silver that have not been made into coins.” Historically, the term is believed to have French origins, linked to Claude de Bullion, Superintendent of Finance under Louis XIII. He is credited with creating the “Louis d’or” in 1640 and initiating monetary system reform. While there’s a plausible connection between his name and the concept of bullion as an ingot, official historical sources to fully corroborate this link are scarce.
Competing in the Global Gold Investment Market
The clear objective behind the Monnaie de Paris striking these new Bullion coins, which are set to be commercialized very soon (from March 2026), is to introduce gold coins that can compete with the highly sought-after South African Krugerrand, American Eagle, or Canadian Maple Leaf. This move will provide France with its own legal tender gold investment coin, a timely development given the current market conditions.
Pure Gold Investment Coin for Performance and Security
The 2026 Bullion coin is primarily designed to attract investors focused on performance, security, and liquidity, rather than numismatists. To achieve this, the institution will offer a product that meets the highest international standards. The key characteristics of the new Bullion coin are as follows:
- Metal: Pure gold at 999.9 ‰
- Weight: 1 troy ounce (31.104 g)
- Diameter: 37 mm
- Minting Quality: Standard / Investment
- Legal Tender: Yes, with a face value
- Launch Year: January 2026
- Issuer: The Monnaie de Paris
Legal Tender Status and Tax Implications in France
Legal tender status, granted by a sovereign state through decree or law, means that a minted coin or banknote must be accepted in commercial transactions or for debt settlement. In France, legal tender coins are considered movable property by the tax authorities. This implies that capital gains from the sale of these coins will be taxed under the general capital gains regime for movable property, which is generally more favorable than the flat-rate regime applicable to precious metals.
A non-exhaustive list of legal tender gold coins includes:
- Australian Nugget
- Britannia
- Bullion (2026)
- US Eagle
- Krugerrand
- Maple Leaf
- Philharmoniker
- Sovereign
- Vera Valor
(Source: French Tax Administration (20110510-002181-PAR-GE2-IR) of May 11, 2011)
Four Denominations to Be Offered
Produced at the Monnaie de Paris’s central facility, the Bullion range will include four different denominations:
- One ounce
- Half an ounce
- A quarter of an ounce
- A tenth of an ounce
Pricing and Availability
The Bullion offering will be available starting in the second quarter of 2026 in two formats: a physical gold coin format and a dematerialized, securely stored online format. The Bullion offering is entirely indexed to the price of gold. The price of the 100% gold Bullion will therefore be closely monitored. As gold prices continue to soar week after week, investors might be wary of the high price. The Monnaie de Paris will also add its margin for the quality workmanship involved in producing these coins.
Source: https://www.francetransactions.com/actus/news-epargne/bullion-or-france-monnaie-paris.html
