Obverse: the French crowned king Louis Philippe I is depicted on the coin, surrounded by the legend "LOUIS PHILIPPE I ROI DES FRANÇAIS" (eng. Louis Philippe the king of France). The bottom of the coin is the engraver's signature "DOMARD.F.".
Reverse: laurel twigs and in the centre of the coin features the coin denomination "40 FRANCS" and the year of the coin. At the bottom is minted the year of the coin and the mintmark.
Edge: the inscription "DIEU PROTÉGE LA FRANCE" (eng. God protect France).