Vijf francs van maarschalk MacMahon, president van de Franse republiek 1874

This is a five-franc coin depicting Marshal MacMahon, president of the French Republic, made in 1874 by F. Napoleon. It speaks volumes about the complex politics of post-revolutionary France. The visual codes on the coin are fascinating. On one side, we see the stern profile of MacMahon, a military man. The other side features symbols of the Republic – a shield, fasces, and Phrygian cap. The presence of MacMahon suggests an attempt to reconcile republican ideals with a strong, almost monarchical, leader. This coin was produced during the Third Republic, a period marked by instability, class division, and the ever-present shadow of the monarchy. Institutions like the army and the presidency were in constant negotiation with republican principles. The very image of MacMahon, a conservative military figure, on a republican coin reveals these tensions. Understanding this coin requires delving into the archives, studying political pamphlets, and analyzing the visual language of the era. Art like this reveals that meaning is always shaped by the social and institutional context.