5 Francs Silver; trial

Reverse

Shield decorated with an eagle on a thunderbolt, surrounded by the collar of the Legion of Honor, placed on a mantle broaching a scepter and a hand of justice.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
EMPIRE FRANCAIS
5 F
1874

Edge

Reeded or Plain

Comment

NAPOLEON IV (1856-1879)
Minted in Brussels.
Napoleon, son of Emperor Napoleon III and Eugénie de Montijo, was born on March 16, 1856. In 1870, he followed his mother into exile in England. On his father's death in 1873, he became head of the imperial family. He underwent English military training and took part in the Zululand campaign, where he was killed on June 1, 1879.

Variety 1870: eagle in a circle, not in a square.

This is an automatic translation. The original text is:

NAPOLÉON IV (1856-1879)
Monnaie frappée à Bruxelles.
Napoléon, le fils de l'empereur Napoléon III et d'Eugénie de Montijo, est né le 16 mars 1856. En 1870, il suivit sa mère en exil en Angleterre. À la mort de son père, en 1873, il devint le chef de la famille impériale. Il suivit une formation militaire anglaise et participa à la campagne du Zoulouland où il trouva la mort le 1er juin 1879.

Variété 1870 : aigle dans un cercle et non dans un carré.

Interesting fact

One interesting fact about the Pattern 5 Francs (Silver; trial) 1874 from France is that it was designed by the French sculptor and engraver, Jean-Baptiste Farochon. Farochon was a prominent artist of his time and was known for his work on various coins and medals. The coin's design features a portrait of a young woman representing France, surrounded by an ornate wreath and other symbols of French culture. The coin's design was meant to showcase France's rich history and culture, and it is considered a rare and valuable collector's item among numismatists today.

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