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France 2 centimes Napoléon III 1855 A

France · 1855 · 2 centimes
Circulating coinUncommon
€5.13estimate
5,126,369coins minted
N483 KM776.1
RAReference number RARA-ZUOJ6
Circulating coin

Series of 2 centimes of Napoleon III with bare head (1853-1857)

The coin's story

This bronze 2 centimes coin was part of the great recoinage of small change carried out under Napoleon III, which replaced the old copper in circulation, some of which dated from before the Revolution. It bears the bare head of the Emperor, engraved by Jacques-Jean Barre, and the imperial eagle. The coins were struck in Paris and at six regional mints, some of them reopened for the occasion. According to the catalogues, the 2 centimes is the scarcest of the bronze denominations of Napoleon III, without being rare. The 1855 date has 5,126,369 pieces in Paris. The coin ceased to be legal tender on 24 November 1940.

    ObverseNapoleon III, Bare Head

    NAPOLEON III EMPEREUR BARRE 1855
    Design
    The bare head of Emperor Napoleon III to the left.
    Legend
    NAPOLEON III EMPEREUR (Napoleon III, Emperor).
    Date
    1855.
    Signature
    BARRE.

    JBEngraved by Jacques-Jean Barre

    ReverseThe Imperial Eagle

    EMPIRE FRANÇAIS • DEUX CENTIMES • A
    Design
    The imperial eagle with wings spread, the mint letter below.
    Legend
    EMPIRE FRANÇAIS (French Empire).
    Denomination
    • DEUX CENTIMES • (two centimes).
    Mark
    A, the Paris Mint.

    JBEngraved by Jacques-Jean Barre

    Specifications

    • Denomination2 centimes
    • Year1855
    • Mintage5,126,369
    • MintMonnaie de Paris (A)
    • MaterialBronze
    • ShapeRound
    • Diameter20 mm
    • Thickness0.8 mm
    • Weight2 g
    • EdgeThe edge is plain
    • ScriptsLatin

    Actual size

    2 centimes 20 mm 2 € 25.75 mm 1 € 23.25 mm

    Actual size compared with the 2 € and 1 € coins. Thickness: 0.8 mm.

    Composition

    Copper95 % Tin5 %

    Reference catalogues

    N483Numista KM776.1Krause (Standard Catalog of World Coins)

    Same country, same period at the scale of real diameters

    2 centimes1855 · 20 mm 5 centimes1855 · 25 mm 10 centimes1855 · 30.2 mm

    By the same engraver: Jacques-Jean Barre 7 coins

    1855France 10 centimes - Napoleon III 1855-K horizontal grapevine leaf 1855France 5 centimes - Napoleon III 1855-B 1862France 1 centime Napoléon III 1862 petit B 1937Switzerland 1 rappen 1937 B 1938Switzerland 2 rappen 1938 B 1942Switzerland 1 rappen 1942 B

    France in the collection All 82 coins →

    18481992

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