French Silver 5 Franc Coins

Obverse of 1848 French Silver 5 Francs

France Index

Reverse of 1848 French Silver 5 Francs

Obverse of 1849 French Silver 5 Francs

Reverse of 1849 French Silver 5 Francs

Obverse of 1849 French Silver 5 Francs

Reverse of 1851 French Silver 5 Francs

Second French Republic
The French Second Republic lasted only 4 years, but was a manifestation of the strong republican leanings of the French population that had existed in France since the time of the first revolution in 1789. The events in France were not confined to France alone, and caused political turmoil throughout Europe, and inspired Karl Marx to issue his Communist Manifesto that same year.

Proclamation of the Second Republic
Louis Phillipe had initially been a popular monarch when he replaced the reactionary Bourbon Charles X. However, in 1848, rising food prices as the result a Europe wide food shortage (this occurred at the same time as the Irish Potato Famine) had caused widespread rioting. Louis Phillipe had already alienated his natural supporters in the Middle Classes by cracking down on the press after years of tolerating often quite libellous allegations against him. He abdicated, attempting to do so in favour of his grandson, but faith in the House of Orleans had been lost, and so the Chamber of Deputies proclaimed the Second Republic, eschewing the monarchical form of government entirely.

President Louis Napoleon
Louis Napoleon, heir to the Bonapartist Imperial line, was elected as President of the French Republic. He had to play a delicate balancing act in what was at the time a politically unstable country torn between republicans, monarchists (Bourbonist and Orleanist) as well as his own Imperialist faction. Socialism had also emerged as an influential ideology. The National Assembly was dominated by Monarchists, who saw the Republic as a provisional Government and precursor to the restoration of the monarchy. This conservative legislature attempted to restrict universal male suffrage by limiting it mainly to property owners. Louis Napoleon was by contrast a populist who advocated universal male suffrage, and appealed to the nationalistic instincts of the French populace by associating himself with the glories of his Uncle's reign as Emperor. He also portrayed himself as a man of order who advocated strong government, something that many French people craved in the wake of over 60 years of political instability and conflict. He also courted the support of the military, perhaps the most crucial factor in supporting the coup which allowed him to dissolve the Second Republic and proclaim himself Emperor in 1852. The Republic had lasted a mere 4 years.

Coinage of the Second Republic
The fall of the Orelanist Monarchy and the proclaimation of the Second Republic was reflected by a change in the design of the coins, particularly on the obverse. The obverse designs were strongly influenced by those of the First French Republic. The most notable difference was the adoption of the revolutionary slogan 'Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite' (Liberty, Equality, Brotherhood) for the first time on French coinage.

Silver 5 Francs
French 5 franc coins have varied in size, metal, and alloy due to inflation, precious metal prices, and other factors. The 1853 - 1870 Imperial issues are a similar size to a US Morgan or Peace silver dollar, or a British crown. They contain almost a three quarters of an ounce of fine silver.

Specifications

Denomination	Diameter	Weight	Purity	ASW
5 Francs	37	25.0000	.9000	0.7234

Notes on Table
Weight = Weight in grams
Purity = Purity of alloy.
ASW = Actual silver content in troy ounces.

Price & Availability

Date	Denomination	Description	Mintage	Grade	Availability	Price £	Price $	Price €
1848A	5 Francs	Second Republic	16,648,000	aVF	No	£25	$	€
1849	5 Francs	Second Republic	7,437,000	Fine	No	£25	$	€
1849	5 Francs	Second Republic	7,437,000	gFine	No	£25	$	€
1851A	5 Francs	Second Republic	13,223,000	gVF/VF	No	£50	$	€

Notes on Table
Availability = Availability from Stock
Please note all prices are subject to fluctuation.
KM# = Catalogue number in Krause Standard Catalogue of World Coins 1901 - Present

Order Form
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Other French Coins
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