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1062
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Second Empire 1852–1870 100-franc trial coin with laureate h…
See original version (French)
1062
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Second Empire 1852–1870 100-franc trial coin with laureate h…
See original version (French)
Estimate €100,000
Voluntary lot
Description
Second Empire 1852–1870 100-franc trial coin with laureate head, 1868 E, Paris, AU 32.25 g, smooth edge. Obverse: NAPOLEON III EMPEREUR. Laureate head facing right, with a star below and the signature ‘BARRE’ Reverse: EMPIRE FRANÇAIS. Imperial coat of arms resting on a crowned mantling, above the sceptre and the hand of justice, flanked by 100 - FRs Ref: G.1136, Maz.1604 Grading: NGC PROOF 62. TOP POP Condition: Superb. Extremely rare. This 1868 100-franc trial coin holds a special place in Second Empire numismatics as it appeared towards the end of Napoleon III’s reign, at a time when the imperial image was already fully codified. The laureate head, drawn directly from the iconography of the Roman emperors, is not merely an aesthetic choice: it reflects Napoleon III’s desire to associate his power with the idea of historical continuity, stability and imperial grandeur. The engraver Désiré-Albert Barre, son of Jacques-Jean Barre, belonged to a veritable dynasty of chief engravers of French coins. His portrait of Napoleon III wearing a laurel wreath is regarded as one of the finest of the Second Empire, lending the emperor a more majestic and sovereign appearance than the earlier issues featuring him bareheaded.
See original version (French)
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About the sale
Top-quality coins among the highest-graded – Ancient coins, German, Belgian, Chinese, Spanish, French, British, Italian, Transylvanian, Russian, American and coins from around the world
Auction location
Auction time
10/17/2026 at 9:30 AM
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