UNC 1856-A EMPEROR NAPOLEON III Gold 50 Francs Start Price USD 0.99 Current Price USD 570.00 Time Left - Bid Count 18 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Friday, August 29, 2008 End Time Monday, September 08, 2008 Location Leicester See more about 'UNC 1856-A EMPEROR NAPOLEON III Gold 50 Francs ' Description A Fresh UNCIRCULATED "Bare Head" portrait 1856 French gold 50 Francs struck at the Paris Mint.  This type coin was minted between 1855 and 1859 at Paris and Strasbourg.  Napoleon III was the nephew of the infamous Napoleon Bonaparte.  During the reign of the Orleans family king, Louis Philippe, he was implicated in a conspiracy to overthrow the French king.  Ultimately, Louis became president of the 2nd French Republic in 1851, dictator in 1852 and proclaimed himself the Emperor of France in 1853.  During his time on the throne, he commissioned Baron Haussman to rebuild the city of Paris; intervened in Mexico in 1862 and put his puppet, Maximilian of Austria in power.  He made the mistake of declaring war on Prussia, and after his defeat at the Battle of Sedan in 1870, was forced to resign.  He spent the rest of his days in exile in England until his death.  This coin now contains .4668 Fine Troy Oz. of Gold.  $16 Registered / Fully Insured Worldwide. NO RESERVE! Place a Bid!