French Napoleon Coins Half Franc or Demi Franc Silver Coin of 1812

French silver coins of Napoleon Bonaparte Franc coin
Coins of Napoleon Bonaparte½ Franc Silver Coin
Coins of France French Demi Franc coin Napoleon Bonaparte
French Demi Franc coin Napoleon Bonaparteera
French Napoleon Coins (1st Empire) Demi Franc - ½ Franc Silver Coin of 1812, Napoleon I.
French coins, collection of French coins, French Coins of Napoleon Bonaparte, Coins of Europe, French Coinages, French Money and Coins, European Coins, Collecting the Coins of France.

Obverse: Laureate bust of Napoleon I right, engraver´s signature (Tiolier) below.
Legend: NAPOLEON EMPEREUR.

Reverse: Denomination (DEMI FRANC.) in words within wreath.
Legend: EMPIRE FRANCAIS . (cock) 1808. (A)

Mint Place: Paris (A)
Reference: KM-691.1.
Diameter: 18 mm; Weight: 2.47 gram of silver.


    Half Franc ( Fr. Demi franc) - historical French monetary unit, was minted from 1802 to 1845 and 1964-2001 respectively in the form of coins. Coinage of silver coins in half franc started in 1802 ( '11 Republican calendar ) , during the Consulate of Napoleon. Profile portrait of Napoleon Bonaparte was engraved by Pierre Joseph Tiolier.
    Pierre-Joseph Tiolier (1763–1819), born in London, was appointed the engraver-general of the Paris Mint from 1803 to 1816. Tiolier engraved the patterns for the Bonaparte-First Consul coins.
The year of issue is indicated republican calendar year , on the obverse the portrait of Napoleon inscription - " Bonaparte First Consul ." After Napoleon's proclamation as emperor in 1804, the inscription on the obverse was changed to " the Emperor Napoleon ." On the reverse of the year of issue continued to be designated the Republican calendar year remained and the words " Republic of France ." Since 1806 the use of the Republican calendar to denote the year of minting ceased. In 1807, the obverse of the coin has been altered , enlarged portrait of Napoleon , which in the same year he added a laurel wreath. In 1809, the inscription on the reverse was changed to the "French Empire" , this type of coinage continued until 1814. In 1816 , during the reign of Louis XVIII, the type of coin has changed. Picture of the new coin fulfilled Auguste -François Michaud . Denomination was designated not by words , as under Napoleon (Demi franc), and numbers ( 1/2 franc). When Charles X coinage of this type has been continued , changed only obverse ( portrait of the king and the legend ) .In 1831 started coinage of King Louis - Philippe. Picture of the new coins fulfilled Joseph- Francois Domar . In 1845, the coinage of half franc coins was discontinued in the same year began minting coins of 50 centimes.
In January, 1960, was a monetary reform , introduced a "new franc ", which is 100 old. Initially, in the years 1962-1964 , was produced in the 50 centimes coin type " Marianne ".
In 1964 and 1965 proof coins were minted in half franc, and in 1965 half franc were again put into circulation . For the new coin type was chosen " Sower ", made a drawing of Oscar Roty and previously used on French coins from 1897 to 1920 . Half Franc coin "Sower" type was minted up to 2001.