Vampire Francaise or how to really treat a failed leader

laurentyvan · October 18, 2004 4:52AM

Poor Napoleon III, a loser at Sedan in 1870, he had to surrender himself and 80,000 French prisoners to the King of Prussia.

When Paris learned about the defeat they were ready to hang him. Some satirical pieces were issued, by example this 5 centimes piece, showing Napoleon with a pointed casque more typical of the Prussians and the 'noble" bird on the back has become an owl. He is identified on the obverse as 'Napoleon III, Le Miserable (the miserable).

I've seen a few of these on E-Bay but I'm holding out for one of this quality, condition: SUP- approx. $55 US

Darkhorse · October 18, 2004 4:54AM

Cool!

MacCrimmon · October 18, 2004 5:05AM

Interesting that the Germans overran the French and Brits at Sedan again 70 years later.

I would s'pose that 80,000 prisoners is better than 60,000 dead at Somme.......

Nice medal, btw.

syraq · October 18, 2004 5:18AM

NAPOLEON III LE MISERABLE

cosmicdebris · October 18, 2004 5:29AM

CoinAddict · October 18, 2004 7:44AM

Very cool.

Here is another one that sold on eBay recently for $61.

laurentyvan · October 18, 2004 8:22AM

There were a number of varieties and re-strikes of this coin within a year or two of the original issue I believe.

I love the different lengend: parjure et traitre- perjurer and traitor. The owl is a little larger and more menacing, wings spread a little larger. The word Sedan is missing from Napoloeon's neck and arrows a la lightside are depending from what the owl is gipping with its claws (used to be a cannon), I imagine the inhabitents of Sedan complained-no bad press here please.

Vampire Francais has become Vampire de la France- a subtle difference... French vampire (becomes) The Vampire Of France. Maybe French vampire suggests more than one-The Vampire Of France suggests just one, singular...

Can you imagine the new Bush commemorative if he fails totally in Iraq?

Conder101 · October 19, 2004 4:37AM

Those are quite interesting. I've never seen them before.

Askari · October 19, 2004 2:05PM

I have an example of the second type -- with the 'E' of 'VAMPIRE' on the reverse mispunched -- but I'm not satisfied with it. I'd also like an excellent specimen of each of these major varieties, but they're hard to come by in nice condition and the bidding is usually quite spirited.

BTW, on the reverse of the first example, note the cannon -- the cannon ball is stuck in the muzzle.

shirohniichan · October 19, 2004 2:22PM

Great numismatic humor

Philip · October 19, 2004 6:10PM

A very interesting piece

docday2003 · October 20, 2004 12:24AM

very nice, but now you have a few more competitors on a nice piece!

lordmarcovan · October 20, 2004 8:02AM

I really like those, particularly for the owl.

savoyspecial · August 3, 2010 10:23AM

i happened upon this example recently:

lordmarcovan · August 3, 2010 5:15PM

I see Savoy's piece is a little different, and perhaps harsher- it goes on to call him a perjurer and a traitor, rather than just mentioning 20,000 prisoners. And the owl is atop a thunderbolt rather than a cannon.

As previously mentioned, I like the reverse design. Very cool piece. I guess there must have been a series of 'em, huh.

savoyspecial · August 3, 2010 5:30PM

mine is also sans the 'SEDAN' collar but i have handled French Dix Centimes that were countermarked SEDAN with the same intent of lampooning the fallen leader

Vampire Francaise or how to really treat a failed leader

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