Owner Comments:
1864A 50 Francs - Design: OBVERSE: Bust of Napoleon III w/ laurel wreath on head and a ribbon going down his shoulder, inscription “NAPOLEON III EMPEREUR”, below bust is the name of the mint director “BARRE” Albert Desire. ~ REVERSE: Imperial Arms, centered with an eagle standing on a thunderbolt surrounded by the Collar of the Legion of Honor stitched on two sceptres (Hand of Justice and sceptre of Charlemagne) posed in saltire, resting on a hanging decorated with mouchetures with ermine inside and bees outside and summoned of an imperial crown from which two ribbons flow. Flanking the base of the Arms is the valve “50 FR”. The mint letter “A” (Paris), date and privy mark of the engraver general (Anchor = Engraver General = Albert-Desire Barre) are below the arms between the ends of the spectres. The Legend reads “EMPIRE FRANCAIS”.
Mint: Paris
Mintage: 28,862
References: KM #804.1 / Fr. 582
Specifications: Diameter – 27.97mm
Weight – 16.1290 g. @ 0.9000 Gold = .4667 oz AGW
Acquired: May 2009
Providence: None
Notes:
Ø Minted during the Second Empire of France, which started in 1852 when Napoleon III (Charles Louis Napoleon Bonaparte, nephew of Napoleon I, and son of Louis Bonaparte who was King of Holland (1806-1810) was elected President of France and soon after a coup d’etat disolved the Republican Assembly and Louis was proclaimed Emperor of France. This period ended in 1870 when France was defeated in the Franco-Prussian War. A new Modern Republic began. He was exiled in Kent wher he died in 1821.
Ø This coin also has raised stars and a motto on engraved in its edge, DIEU PROTEGE LA FRANCE [God Protect France]