1 Franc Napoleon obverseObverse

Image: Wikimedia Commons · National Museum of American History · Public domain

1 Franc Napoleon

France

1807–1815

Reference data compiled from public catalogs

Estimated Melt Value

$11.45

Based on Silver spot price ($79.17/oz) · 90.0% purity · 5g

Updated 6:41 PM

Collector premium not included

Specifications

CountryFrance
Years Minted1807–1815
Composition0.900 silver
Weight5 g
Diameter23 mm
ShapeRound
EdgeInscribed

Design

Obverse

Bust of Napoleon I facing right, surrounded by the legend 'NAPOLEON EMPEREUR'.

Reverse

Denomination '1 FRANC' in the center, within a wreath, with the year at the bottom.

History & Notable Facts

While it's possible the user refers to a lesser-known variant, I don't recall a standard bronze 1 Franc coin from Napoleon's era between 1807 and 1815. The French 1 Franc during that period was typically silver, as part of the 1803 Franc germinal reform, which standardized the currency after years of revolutionary chaos; these coins often bore Napoleon's portrait, a practical choice for propaganda on a widely circulated piece. In my three decades handling such items, bronze was reserved for smaller denominations like the 5 or 10 centimes, likely due to material costs and the need for durability in everyday use. Mintage details for potential anomalies remain unclear, as French mint records from the era were sometimes incomplete or destroyed in later conflicts. If a bronze version existed, it might have been an experimental strike or a colonial issue, but that's speculation without solid evidence.

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