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In 2026, the Monnaie de Paris issued an exclusive set of gold coins paying tribute to Napoleon III, the last emperor of France. This issue is part of the “Ors de France” collection, a numismatic series that revisits great historical French coins, reinterpreting them with a modern design and in precious metals.
The set consists of three 999‰ pure gold coins with face values of €20, €50 and €200, minted in Belle Épreuve (Proof) quality —the highest numismatic quality— and with an extremely limited mintage of 400 units per coin.
These pieces reinterpret the historic Napoleonic franc engraved by the celebrated engraver Jean-Jacques Barre, recovering the iconography of the Second French Empire and adapting it to a contemporary style.
Obverse (common to all three coins)
The obverse shows a laurel-crowned portrait of Napoleon III, directly inspired by the busts that appeared on 19th-century imperial coins.
The design follows the Napoleonic iconographic tradition:
The emperor appears in profile, looking to the right.
She wears a laurel wreath, a classic symbol of victory and imperial power inherited from Roman iconography.
His portrait is inspired by that of his uncle, Napoleon I, who in turn took as a reference the representation of the Roman emperor Julius Caesar, thus reinforcing the idea of imperial continuity.
To the right of the portrait are incorporated the Napoleonic imperial arms, an element that originally appeared on the reverse of the coins of the Second Empire.
The coin is minted with a reverse proof finish, a technique that reverses the traditional proof finish: the field has a matte or frosted texture, while the reliefs appear polished and shiny like a mirror, creating a strong contrast that enhances the details of the design.
Reverse (common to all three coins)
The reverse features a modern design that symbolizes French monetary history within the Ors de France series.
The main elements on the reverse side are:
A central hexagon, symbol of French territory.
Three graphic friezes that reinterpret the French flag in heraldic form.
The face value of the coin (€20, €50 or €200).
The RF (République Française) monogram.
The official guarantee marks and the indication of the precious metal.
This design aims to connect the historical tradition of French gold coins with the contemporary identity of the Republic, creating a synthesis between past and present.
The historical context: Napoleon III and imperial coins
The coins in this issue are inspired by the pieces minted during the Second French Empire (1852-1870), under the reign of Napoleon III, whose real name was Charles-Louis Napoléon Bonaparte.
During his reign, France underwent profound modernization:
development of the railway system
urban transformation of Paris under Baron Haussmann
industrial and banking expansion
strengthening international trade
The gold coins of this period were part of the so-called "germinal franc" system, established in 1803 under Napoleon Bonaparte. This system precisely defined the weight and purity of the coins, making the 20-franc napoleon one of the most influential gold coins in Europe.
During the Second Empire, several coins were minted bearing the portrait of Napoleon III—both with a bare head and with a laurel wreath—and the inscription “Empire Français”. These coins circulated widely and are now one of the most recognizable symbols of 19th-century French numismatics.
The current collection does not aim to exactly reproduce those historical coins, but to reinterpret their iconography for modern collecting, while maintaining the spirit of the original design.
Technical characteristics of the coins
Face value Metal Purity Weight Diameter Quality Print run
€20 Gold 999‰ 3.11 g 15 mm Reverse proof 400
€50 Gold 999‰ 7.78 g 22 mm Reverse proof 400
€200 Gold 999‰ 31.1 g 37 mm Reverse proof 400
Total weight of the set: 41.99 g of fine gold.
The three coins are presented in a lacquered wooden case, which reinforces the collectible nature of the set.
A highly exclusive broadcast
The Napoleon III 2026 set stands out for several factors that make it a particularly attractive issue for collectors:
Extremely limited edition (400 units)
High quality pure gold
Reverse Proof Coinage
Inspired by historical coins of the Second Empire
Presented in a collector's case
These characteristics place the issue within the most exclusive segment of modern French numismatics, where the Monnaie de Paris combines historical tradition, the art of engraving and precious metals to create pieces intended for both collecting and cultural heritage.
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