Tien centimes van Napoleon III Bonaparte, keizer der Fransen 1856

This is a ten centime coin of Napoleon III, Emperor of the French, made by Jean-Jacques Barre. Struck from copper alloy and bearing a regal portrait, this coin represents more than mere currency; it encapsulates the spirit of an era defined by industry, politics, and labor. Barre, as an engraver, was tasked with rendering this image in exacting detail. The copper material itself speaks to a democratizing trend. Cheaper than gold or silver, copper coinage expanded economic participation to working people. The minting process – a mechanical procedure involving dies and presses – reflects the increasing mechanization of the 19th century. Each coin represents labor, both in its manufacture and in its exchange. These details enrich our understanding of the coin. The value of this coin is a reminder of the deep connection between materials, making, and the economic and social life that connects us all.