Faced with the single-term limit as President of the the French Second Republic, Louis-Napoleon staged a coup that resulted in the French Second Empire. He took the title of Napoleon III, in recognition of Napoleon I’s son, who was declared successor but was never recognized.

Napoleon III saw the first 50 francs and 100 francs, the largest gold coins minted by France. He oversaw the negotiations and formation of the LMU in 1865.

Napoleon III coinage generally covers two types: nude head and laurel head. He also had a 20 francs nude head minted in 1852 as President of the Second Republic (displayed separately).

The 5 francs was issued in both silver and gold during 1854-1859. This is one of the few examples where a denomination was minted in both gold and silver (the Papal States and Italy are the only others)