FRANCE Third Republic (1870-1940). 5 francs satirical "Thiers", on the reverse "SATORY", in bronze 1872, Brussels (Würden). Av. Bust of Thiers left surrounded by megaphones, hammers, extinguishers, etc.; above a cross; below 1685 [revocation of the Edict of Nantes]. Rv. FRENCH REPUBLIC. Within a wreath formed of two branches of oak and laurel, a square shield inscribed SATORY showing a firing squad, accosted by 5 - F. In the exergue the (date) accosted by swifts and extinguishers. GEM.130.7 - G.747 - Maz.- (cf. 2338b, smooth tr.) - VG.- (cf. 3819, smooth tr.) - Schweyer p.491-492 ; Bronze - 21,52 g - 37,8 mm - 6 h Top Pop: the only graded specimen! NGC MS 63 BN (8583601-009). Special strike on bronze blank, fluted edge. Two minor scratches on the right. With a brown patina and remnants of the original red colour. Superb at Fleur de coin. Louis Rossel (1844-1871) was a colonel and the only senior officer in the French army to join the Paris Commune in 1871 and play an important role, as delegate for War. After the movement was crushed, he refused the offer of exile made to him by Adolphe Thiers, then head of the executive branch of the Government of National Defence, and was shot at the Satory camp in Versailles on 28 November 1871.