Napoleon III silver Proof Essai 5 Francs 1853 PR64 NGC, Maz-1637, VG-3330. Struck in the second year of the newly anointed Emperor's reign, this exceptional pattern type is crafted to immense detail, the general preservation one that with all likelihood places the current selection near the peak of the extant population. Of the two that NGC has seen to-date, this one is the finest, and this distinction appears wholly deserved by its eye appeal alone - the utterly sharp strike yielding fully expressed detail at every turn, admirably complemented by a balanced argent patina that concentrates in intensity along the devices. Though the reverse arms appear essentially identical to those used on the ultimately adopted "Bare Head" 5 Franc type struck in subsequent years, Napoleon's bust is unmistakably different than even the later Laureate issues, displaying not only several variances in his hair, ribbon, and facial features, but a more elegant portrayal which makes this unique pattern easily stand out from its circulation-bound successors. All stated, a significant item in French numismatics, and one of the clear highlights of this collection. From the Cape Coral Collection of French Ecus and 5 Francs

HID09801242017

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