FRANCE - NAPOLEON III - GOLD 20 FRANCS 1852 PARIS - NGC MS64

Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte, President of the Republic (1848-1852), gold 20 francs, 1852, struck at Paris.

Obverse: bare head of Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte right, engraved by Barre. Reverse: denomination 20 FRANCS and date 1852 within a laurel wreath, legend RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE. Mint letter A (Paris) below the wreath.

Mint State.

Note: the coin bears the legend "LOUIS-NAPOLÉON BONAPARTE" on the obverse (not yet "NAPOLÉON III", which appeared after the proclamation of the Empire on 2 December 1852). It is therefore a transitional issue between the Second Republic and the Second Empire, struck during Louis-Napoleon's presidency but already bearing his portrait. It is a fairly sought-after coin for this reason.