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France 2 centimes Napoleon III 1862 A

France · 1862 · 2 centimes
Circulating coinUncommon
€4.82estimate
6,587,750coins minted
N484 KM796.4
RAReference number RARA-N6JIR
Circulating coin

Series of 2 centimes of Napoleon III with laureate head (1861-1862)

The coin's story

This bronze 2 centimes coin bears the laureate head of Napoleon III, adopted after the Italian campaign of 1859. It was engraved by Désiré-Albert Barre, engraver general of the coinage from 1855 to 1878. The reverse shows the imperial eagle and the mint letter, here A for Paris. The 2 centimes of this type was struck only in 1861 and 1862. According to Numista, a provisional bust and a definitive bust are distinguished. The 1862 date has 6,587,750 pieces in Paris. The coin ceased to be legal tender on 24 November 1940.

    ObverseNapoleon III, Laureate Head

    NAPOLEON III EMPEREUR BARRE 1862
    Design
    The laureate head of Emperor Napoleon III to the left.
    Legend
    NAPOLEON III EMPEREUR (Napoleon III, Emperor).
    Date
    1862.
    Signature
    BARRE.

    DBEngraved by Désiré-Albert Barre

    ReverseThe Imperial Eagle

    EMPIRE FRANÇAIS A * DEUX CENTIMES *
    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.

    DBEngraved by Désiré-Albert Barre

    Specifications

    • Denomination2 centimes
    • Year1862
    • Mintage6,587,750
    • MintMonnaie de Paris (A)
    • MaterialBronze
    • ShapeRound
    • Diameter20 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.

    Composition

    Copper95 % Tin5 %

    Reference catalogues

    N484Numista KM796.4Krause (Standard Catalog of World Coins)

    Same country, same period at the scale of real diameters

    1 centime1862 · 15 mm 2 centimes1862 · 20 mm 5 centimes1861 · 25 mm

    By the same engraver: Désiré-Albert Barre 8 coins

    1861France 5 centimes Napoleon III 1861 BB 1862France 1 centime Napoléon III 1862 petit B 1873Greece 2 drachmai 1873 A - George I 1873Greece 1 drachma 1873 A - George I 1874Greece 50 lepta 1874 A - George I 1876Greece 5 drachmai 1876 - George I 1883Greece 20 lepta 1883 A - George I

    France in the collection All 82 coins →

    18481992

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