France 3 Francs

The 3 Francs coin, struck during Napoleon's empire, featured his laureate bust on the obverse—a design choice that doubled as imperial propaganda and a nod to classical Rome.

That portrait, based on engravings by Bertrand Andrieu, made the coin a miniature billboard for Napoleon's rule, even as wars drained France's silver reserves. Production ran from 1809 to 1815 at the Paris Mint, with variations in die quality reflecting the era's disruptions. Some years saw planchets sourced from recycled foreign coins, a practical measure amid scarcity.

We don't know the exact mintage figures for every year; records from that period are spotty, thanks to the upheavals of the time. As for rarity, it's often overstated—most examples turn up in decent condition, not the mythical hoards people imagine.

Plenty of these ended up in foreign pockets during the campaigns, which is how they spread across Europe.