France 1 centime Napoléon III 1862 petit B

France · 1862 · 1 centime

Circulating coinUncommon

€4.81estimate

4,492,691coins minted

N482 KM795.2

RAReference number RARA-LS6GA

Circulating coin

Series of 1 centime of Napoleon III with laureate head (1861-1870)

The coin's story

This bronze 1 centime coin bears the laureate head of Napoleon III, adopted after the Italian campaign of 1859, engraved by Désiré-Albert Barre. The reverse shows the imperial eagle on a thunderbolt and the mint letter, the letters BB denote the Strasbourg Mint. The type was struck from 1861 to 1870, until the fall of the Second Empire. Numista notes a particular privy mark at Strasbourg for 1862. The 1862 date has 4,492,691 pieces at Strasbourg. The coin ceased to be legal tender on 1 January 1941.

ObverseNapoleon III, Laureate Head

NAPOLEON III EMPEREUR

Design: The laureate head of Napoleon III to the left, the end of a ribbon falling on the neck.
Legend: NAPOLEON III EMPEREUR (Napoleon III, Emperor).
Date: 1862.
Signature: BARRE.

DBEngraved by Désiré-Albert Barre

ReverseThe Imperial Eagle

EMPIRE FRANÇAIS • UN CENTIME • BB

Design: The imperial eagle displayed, head to the right, on a thunderbolt, above the mint letter.
Legend: EMPIRE FRANÇAIS (French Empire).
Denomination: • UN CENTIME • (one centime).
Mark: BB, the Strasbourg Mint.

JBEngraved by Jacques-Jean Barre