1855 French 20 Francs Gold Coin Napoleon III Bare Head BB greyhound
The 1855 20 Francs is a French gold coin, minted by the Monnaie de Paris. The weight of the coin is 6.451 grams with a fineness of 900 (21 carat gold), this means it contains 5.806 grams of pure gold. The diameter of the coin is 21 mm. The coin has the mintmark BB, indicating it was struck at Strasbourg, France. **Obverse:** The obverse of the Napoleon III 1855 20 French Francs depicts the bare head portrait, designed by Jean-Jacques Barre. This effigy of Napoleon III shows his profile pointing to the right. The name of the sculptor, 'BARRE', is visible at the bottom of the head. The inscription on the coin reads 'NAPOLEON III EMPEREUR BARRE'. **Reverse:** The reverse of the 1855 Gold 20 Francs shows the face value '20 FRANCS' with the text 'EMPIRE FRANCAIS' and a laurel wreath surrounding the year of issue.