France 5 centimes - Napoleon III 1855-B

France · 1855 · 5 centimes

Circulating coinUncommon

€1.41estimate

5,454,664coins minted

N485 KM777.2

RAReference number RARA-5CTCB

Circulating coin

Series of 5 centimes of Napoleon III with bare head (1853-1857)

The coin's story

This bronze 5 centimes coin was part of the great recoinage of small change carried out under Napoleon III. The regime melted down and restruck the old copper in circulation, some of which dated from before the Revolution, and reopened the mints of Lille, Marseille, Rouen and Lyon for this purpose. The coins bear the bare head of the Emperor, engraved by Jacques-Jean Barre, and an eagle standing on a thunderbolt. The letter B denotes the Rouen Mint. Numista gives two mintages for 1855 at Rouen, according to the privy marks, the recorded figure of 5,454,664 is one of them. The coin ceased to be legal tender on 31 October 1934.

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 * CINQ CENTIMES * B

Design: The eagle standing on a thunderbolt, wings open, head turned to the right.
Legend: EMPIRE FRANÇAIS (French Empire).
Denomination: * CINQ CENTIMES * (five centimes).
Mark: B, the Rouen Mint.

JBEngraved by Jacques-Jean Barre