2689) Napoleon III, France: "Ors de France" (A Historical and Emblematic Coin Series): A Historic portrait of the Emperor first depicted on coinage in 1848, now featured on Gold and Silver Collector Coins issued by the Monnaie de Paris (The Paris Mint): Year of Coin issue: 2023:
The Monnaie de Paris (The Paris Mint) has brought out the latest Collector Coin in its ongoing series minted in Gold and Silver which are available at face value.
Since 2008, Monnaie de Paris has embarked on an ambitious project initiated every three years to honour and feature the symbols and motifs of French Numismatics by revisiting the classic and popular designs through the release of contemporary Euro Coinage.
After “the Sower,” “Hercules,” “the Rooster,” and “Marianne,” as well as “Symbols of Nature” designs, 2023 begins a series of three historical and emblematic coins that have greatly contributed to French numismatic heritage during the Imperial era.
The first design highlights the coinage of France’s Second Empire and features the effigy of Emperor Napoleon III created by engraver Jean-Jacques Barre.
Napoleon III (born Charles Louis Napoléon Bonaparte; 20.04.1808 – 09.01.1873):
He was the first President of France (as Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte) from 1848 to 1852, and the last monarch of France as Emperor of the French from 1852 to 1870.
A nephew of Napoleon I, he was elected to the presidency of the Second Republic in 1848, and he seized power by force in 1851, when he could not constitutionally be reelected.
He later proclaimed himself Emperor of the French and founded the Second Empire, reigning until the defeat of the French Army and his capture by Prussia and its allies at the Battle of Sedan in 1870.
Napoleon III was a popular monarch who oversaw the modernisation of the French economy and filled Paris with new boulevards and parks.
He expanded the French overseas empire, made the French merchant navy the second largest in the world, and engaged in the Second Italian War of Independence as well as the disastrous Franco-Prussian War, during which he personally commanded his soldiers and was captured.
Napoleon III commissioned a grand reconstruction of Paris carried out by the man he appointed as prefect of the Seine, Baron Georges-Eugène Haussmann.
He expanded and consolidated the railway system throughout the nation and modernised the banking system.
Napoleon III promoted the building of the Suez Canal and established modern agriculture, which ended famines in France and made the country an agricultural exporter.
He negotiated the 1860 Cobden–Chevalier Free Trade Agreement with Britain and similar agreements with France's other European trading partners.
Social reforms included giving French workers the right to strike, the right to organise, and the right for women to be admitted to a French university.
In foreign policy, Napoleon III aimed to reassert French influence in Europe and around the world.
In Europe, he allied with Britain and defeated Russia in the Crimean War (1853–1856).
His regime assisted Italian unification by defeating the Austrian Empire in the Franco-Austrian War and later annexed Savoy and Nice through the Treaty of Turin as its deferred reward.
At the same time, his forces defended the Papal States against annexation by Italy. He was also favourable towards the 1859 union of the Danubian Principalities, which resulted in the establishment of the United Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia.
Napoleon III doubled the area of the French colonial empire with expansions in Asia, the Pacific, and Africa.
On the other hand, the intervention in Mexico, which aimed to create a Second Mexican Empire under French protection, ended in total failure.
From 1866, Napoleon III had to face the mounting power of Prussia as its Chancellor Otto von Bismarck sought German unification under Prussian leadership.
In July 1870, Napoleon III reluctantly declared war on Prussia after pressure from the general public. The French Army was rapidly defeated, and he was captured at Sedan.
Napoleon III’s Second Empire was short-lived when it came to an end with the conclusion of the Franco-Prussian War in 1870.
As the French army surrendered, Napoleon III was forced to abdicate by a new provisional government that negotiated a treaty of peace with the newly formed German Empire, born out of the victory with France.
He was swiftly dethroned and the Third Republic was proclaimed in Paris. He went into exile in England, where he passed away in 1873.
The French Third Republic remained in place until 1940, collapsing with the Fall of France during World War II.
The Commemorative Coin:
The effigy of Napoleon III was seen on the Obverse of Gold, Silver, and Bronze Coinage issued from 1861, continuing on from the initial effigy of Napoleon III, when he was first declared "President of France" in 1848.
He was later proclaimed emperor, and his effigy was introduced on French coinage in 1852, thereafter his title was amended from “LOUIS – NAPOLEON BONAPARTE” to read “NAPOLEON III EMPEREUR,” and was depicted with a bare head.
From 1861, the laureate was included on his effigy, and which was strongly inspired by that of his uncle Napoleon I, who himself cultivated his image on that of the Roman Emperor Julius Caesar.
On the Reverse of the 250 Euro (Gold) and 20, 20, 100 Euro (Silver) Coins is included the recreated right facing effigy designed by Barre, which is placed on the left side.
Next to Napoleon III’s effigy is as a replica image of the Napoleonic Coat of Arms initially featured on the Reverse of imperial silver coins and, from 1861, gold coinage.
Along the right half edge is the text "LIBERTÉ EGALITÉ and FRATERNITÉ," (the official motto of the French Republic). On the lower right is the year of issue, "2023".
On the Obverse of the 250 Euro (Gold) and 20, 20, 100 Euro (Silver) Coins is depicted the three eras to which the inspirations of this trilogy belong.
Set in a hexagon, these three graphic friezes comprise patterns of imperial eagles, fleur de lis, and Jerusalem crosses — referencing Napoleon I’s titular claim as King of Jerusalem.
They are arranged side by side to interpret the French flag in its heraldic form. The face value, the initials "RF" ("Republique Francaise"), and the Monnaie de Paris’ mint mark (the "Cornucopia" - or the Horn of Plenty with overflowing coins) complete the composition.
The Specifications of the Coin Variants are:
i) Gold Coin Variant:
Country: Republic of France (Republique Francaise); Year of Coin issue: 2023; Coin Theme: "Historical and Emblematic Coin Series"; Denomination: 250 Euro; Metal Composition: .9999 Fineness Gold (Au); Weight: 2.50 grams; Diameter/Size: 18.00 mm; Coin Quality: Brilliant Uncirculated (BU); Mint: Monnaie de Paris (The Paris Mint); Mintage: 15,000 pieces; Designer/Engraver: Jean-Jacques Barre.
ii) Silver Coin Variant (One):
Country: Republic of France (Republique Francaise); Year of Coin issue: 2023; Coin Theme: "Historical and Emblematic Coin Series"; Denomination: 20 Euro; Metal Composition: .900 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 16.00 grams; Diameter/Size: 33.00 mm; Coin Quality: Uncirculated (U); Mint: Monnaie de Paris (The Paris Mint); Mintage: 75,000 pieces; Designer/Engraver: Jean-Jacques Barre.
iii) Silver Coin Variant (Two):
Country: Republic of France (Republique Francaise); Year of Coin issue: 2023; Coin Theme: "Historical and Emblematic Coin Series"; Denomination: 20 Euro; Metal Composition: .900 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 16.00 grams; Diameter/Size: 33.00 mm; Coin Quality: Proof (P); Mint: Monnaie de Paris (The Paris Mint); Mintage: 3,000 pieces; Designer/Engraver: Jean-Jacques Barre.
iv) Silver Coin Variant (Three):
Country: Republic of France (Republique Francaise); Year of Coin issue: 2023; Coin Theme: "Historical and Emblematic Coin Series"; Denomination: 100 Euro; Metal Composition: .900 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 45.00 grams; Diameter/Size: 47.00 mm; Coin Quality: Brilliant Uncirculated (BU); Mint: Monnaie de Paris (The Paris Mint); Mintage: 10,000 pieces; Designer/Engraver: Jean-Jacques Barre.
- The Coins are offered for their face value of 20, 100, and 250 euros, which are encapsulated and presented in a folder-type case accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity (COA).
- This new Series entitled “Ors de France” concludes in 2025.
Links to other posts in Metropolis Tiffany Art Coin Series:
Links to other Coins in the Cyborg Revolution Coin Series" issued in this Series:
Links:
Most Haunted Places Coin Series:
Links to other posts on Metropolis Tiffany Art Coin Series:
The 7-Summits Silver Coin Series:
For other interesting posts on honouring the work done for the blind/visually impaired persons please visit the following links:
1) A tour of Pune's Blind School and interaction with the students - a short story
2) A two-Rupee coin issued by the Indian Mints honouring Louis Braille on the occasion of his 200th Birth Anniversary in 2009 and a brief report on the Braille system
6) Honouring Louis Braille on the Bicentenary of his birth in 2009
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