Charles-Louis Napolean Bonaparte (Napoleon III), 1852-A

KM 774; Friedberg 568, PCGS graded PR-65 Cameo

Fearing the instability threatened by extreme republicanism, on December 28, Charles Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte, the nephew of the deposed Emperor of the French, was popularly elected to be a force of order as President of the Second Republic. Although he was strongly advised to adopt the appearance of “democratic simplicity,” Louis-Napoleon immediately displayed himself to be a tyrant by assuming the title of Prince-President and adorning his offices with portraits of his uncle in his imperial robes. His policies often succeeded in offending both radical republicans and conservatives in the National Assembly. Although the Constitution of 1848 required him to step down at the end of his term, on the night of December 1-2, 1851, Louis-Napoleon perpetrated a coup d’état, using the army to seize control of Paris and repress his political opponents—actions approved after the fact by a heavily rigged French plebiscite. On January 14, 1852, the National Assembly ratified the new Constitution of 1852, which extended the term of the Prince-President for 10 years and gave him sweeping executive and legislative powers.

Paris. Head of Napoleon III right. Reverse: Denomination and date within wreath.

Ex Goldberg (29 May 2006), 954