v11_1982 - 50 centimes Napoléon III, tête laurée 1868 Paris F.188/20

SECOND EMPIRE

(2/12/1852-4/09/1870)

Since the Austro-Prussian war of 1866, Bismarck had sought to unite Germany around Prussia and therefore a pretext to do battle with France. He found it while writing the dispatch from Ems which could be considered derogatory to France. Napoleon III emerged strengthened from the plebiscite of May 8, the staff, equipped with a new gun, pushed for war. It was declared on July 19 but quickly proved disastrous for France. The capture of the emperor who was stricken with a kidney stone attack was considered infamous and considered by many as cowardice or treachery. Napoleon remained interned in Germany until March 1871, when he joined Eugenie and the Prince Imperial in England. Many satirical coins evoking the defeat were struck or re-engraved on bronze coins of 10 and 5 centimes.