The French 100 Francs Napoleon III Bare Head gold coin is a remarkable piece of numismatic history, minted during the reign of Emperor Napoleon III from 1855 to 1859. This standard circulation coin, demonetized on June 25, 1928, features a composition of 90% gold, weighing 32.25806 grams with a diameter of 35 mm. The coin showcases the naked head of Napoleon III on the obverse, engraved by Jacques-Jean Barre, with the inscription “NAPOLEON III EMPEREUR”. The reverse displays the coat of arms of the Second Empire with the lettering “EMPIRE FRANÇAIS 100 FRs” and the year of minting. The edge of the coin is smooth with an embossed inscription “DIEU PROTEGE LA FRANCE”. This  French 100 Francs Napoleon III Bare Head coin is a testament to the grandeur of the French Empire under Napoleon III and remains a coveted item for collectors and historians alike.

Historical Note:  Napoleon III was the nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte and emperor of France from 1852 to 1870.  He was the elected president of the The Second Republic of France in 1848, a republic that ultimately lasted just three years. When it became evident the French Parliament would block his re-election bid in 1852, he promptly organized a coup in December 1851, seized power, re-wrote the constitution and declared himself emperor of France.  Just like that, the Second Republic of France had ended.  In an interesting historical side note, Emperor Napoleon III claimed the throne of the Second Empire of France on December 2nd 1852, 48 years to the day after his Uncle, Napoleon I was crowned.

Napoleon III strove to restore the glory of France to the lofty stature attained under his famous uncle, but his rule was undermined by a succession of political blunders including rifts with the Vatican over papal land and French industry over his free trade policy with England. In the Franco Prussian War of 1870, in part due to the disunity at home, he met defeat at the hands of the Prussians near Sedan. Within days, the weakened Napoleon III was unseated by a new revolution and he left France for England where he died in 1873, failing to restore the glory of Napoleonic France.