A Victorian-era love token on an 1856-W French 5 centimes. The engraver added a military kepi and collar to Napoleon III’s portrait, turning the emperor’s likeness into a one-of-a-kind keepsake.

• 1856-W 5 centimes, Lille mint, Second Empire bronze
• Napoleon III bare head obverse, imperial eagle reverse
• Hand-engraved kepi with detailed hatching, plus an engraved collar
• Victorian engraved coin folk art, also collected as a Napoleon III caricature piece

Grade: Our grade estimate is Fine on the obverse and VG on the reverse. It’s raw and graded in-house, not certified. The obverse portrait, beard and NAPOLEON III EMPEREUR legend are bold. The reverse is evenly worn with a soft lower legend, and the W mint mark is clear. The engraving is sharp and skillfully done. It’s sold as an engraved love token, not an unaltered coin.

History: Hand-engraving coins as personal tokens peaked in the Victorian era. Sweethearts, soldiers and craftsmen turned pocket change into one-of-a-kind keepsakes. In France, Napoleon III’s portrait became a favorite canvas, especially after his 1870 surrender at Sedan, when engravers added caps, helmets and other touches to the emperor’s likeness. Each piece is unique, and the best show real skill with the graver.

Series: France’s bronze coinage of 1852–1857 shows Napoleon III bare-headed, with an imperial eagle on the reverse. The public nicknamed these “sous au chien” because the small eagle reminded many of a dog. Regional mints are identified by letter; W marks Lille.

Curiosity Coins — Medway, Massachusetts | Est. 1999 | ANA • PCGS • NGC • Heritage Auctions Member / Buying & selling US and world coins, silver, gold, currency, and collectibles since 1999. Many auctions start at $5 — combined shipping always available. Questions welcome.