ObverseImage: Wikimedia Commons · Napoléon III (1808-1873 ; empereur des Français). Autorité émettrice de monnaie Paris (France ; atelier monétaire). Atelier monétaire · Public domain
10 Centimes Empire
France
1852–1870
Reference data compiled from public catalogs
Estimated Melt Value
$0.13
Based on Copper spot price ($6.07/oz) · 95.0% purity · 10g
Updated 10:08 PM
Collector premium not included
Specifications
| Country | France |
| Years Minted | 1852–1870 |
| Composition | Bronze |
| Weight | 10 g |
| Diameter | 30 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Edge | Plain |
Design
Obverse
Head of Napoleon III facing left, with the legend 'NAPOLEON III EMPEREUR'.
Reverse
Denomination '10 CENTIMES' within a wreath, with the year below.
History & Notable Facts
The 10 Centimes Empire coin's most notable feature is its bronze composition, which was alloyed with copper and tin to endure the pocket wear of 19th-century French markets.
That durability came from precise minting techniques at the Paris facility, where dies imprinted Napoleon III's profile on one side and the denomination on the other. Variations exist in edge designs, some plain, others reeded, depending on the year. Mintage figures vary; records for certain dates were lost in administrative upheavals, so exact numbers remain unclear.
Collectors often overlook that these coins circulated alongside older denominations, easing the transition to decimal currency. A slight edge wear on many specimens shows their hard life in commerce.
If you're handling one, note the patina—it's not always verdigris, but oxidation from years in circulation. As for myths about hidden treasures, I've seen enough to say they're just that.
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