20 Francs French Gold Napoleon III AGW .1867 oz Avg Circ (1852-1870, Random Year)

20 Francs French Gold Napoleon III AGW .1867 oz Avg Circ (1852-1870, Random Year)

These 20 Francs coins exhibit one of the two designs, a bare-headed portrait, or a laureate portrait of Napoleon III, with the inscription "NAPOLEON III" and "EMPEREUR". The engravers name BARRE appears below the head. 

The reverse design consists of either an ornate shield with the value "20 FR" at the sides, the surrounding above the wreath inscribed with "EMPIRE FRANCAIS", and the date is below the shield; or the value "20 FRANCS" and the date in three lines surrounded by intertwined laurels instead of the shield design, with similar inscription.

The mintmark "A" or "BB" appears to the left of the date, or below the wreath. The edge is inscribed in raised lettering "DIEU PROTEGE LA FRANCE". Coins of this type were issued from 1852 to 1870 inclusive.

The first type, a bare-headed portrait of Napoleon III, was minted between the years 1852-1860. Whereas, the second type, a laureate portrait of Napoleon III, was minted between the years 1861-1870.

Charles Louis Napoleon Bonaparte was born on the 20th April 1808 and died on the 9th January 1873. He was the son of King Louis Bonaparte of Holland, a younger brother of Napoleon Bonaparte. His mother was Hortense de Beauharnais, daughter of Napoleon's first wife Josephine. He was elected President (1848-1852) of the Second Republic of France and subsequently Emperor (1852-1870), reigning as Napoleon III (Second French Empire). Under Napoleon III, France pursued an active foreign policy, by challenging Russia's influence in the Ottoman Empire, successfully participating in the Crimean War, and launching a naval expedition in 1858 to punish the Vietnamese and force them to accept a French presence in the country.

Paris was substantially rebuilt under Napoleon III, to reduce the ability of future revolutionaries to challenge the government. Large sections of the city were razed and the old convoluted streets were replaced with many broad avenues, with the intent of allowing the cannon to be used easily within the city. The rebuilding of Paris was directed by Baron Haussmann, knowledge which would have been useful to ex-Major Charles Ingram, as it constituted his £500,000 question, almost anybody who has ever visited Paris would be familiar with Boulevard Hausmann. He also directed the building of the French railway network. 

Hoping to achieve military glory to match his uncle Louis and forced by the diplomacy of the German chancellor Otto Von Bismarck, Napoleon began the Franco-Prussian War in 1870. This war proved disastrous. In the battle against Prussia in July 1870 the Emperor was captured at the Battle of Sedan (September 2) and was deposed by the forces of the Third Republic in Paris two days later. He died in exile in England on January 9, 1873. Married to Empress Eugenie, a Spanish noble of Scottish and Spanish descent, he had one son, Eugene Bonaparte. He is buried in the Imperial Crypt at Saint Michael's Abbey, Farnborough, Hampshire, England.

Dates and types of the coin will be randomly picked from available stock.

Like all of our other gold coins, this one is guaranteed to be 100% authentic. Item will be wrapped and packaged safely for delivery.