FRANCE - FRANCE Third Republic (1870-1940). Proof of 5 centimes Cérès on a nickel silver blank 1871, A, Paris. FRENCH REPUBLIC (date). Head of the Republic left in Cérès, below signature OUDINÉ. Rv. FREEDOM. EQUALITY. FRATERNITE. Within a crown of two branches, under a star: 5 CENTIMES (different) (workshop) (different). GEM.9.3 = this example ; nickel silver - 6.37 g - 25 mm - 6 h Top Pop: this is the only graded example! From the Carl F. Chirico collection, Bowers and Merena sale, 28 February to 1 March 2008 (lot no. 5529 ?) then Palombo sale 7, 13 June 2009, no. 426 then 16, 21 October 2017, no. 846 and the example illustrating Gadoury's Essais monétaires, p.53. NGC MS 65 (8524349-037). Special strike on nickel silver blank (NGC = nickel-brass). Only minimal marks on the high relief and finger marks in the fields. Probably the only known example. Superb at Fleur de coin.