FRANCE - FRANCE Third Republic (1870-1940). Test of 20 centimes Merley, 2nd type, round zinc blank, Frappe spéciale (SP) 1898, A, Paris. Av. RÉPUBLIQUE * FRANÇAISE. In a bowl, crowned head of the Republic on the right, with pearl necklace, between a bundle and an olive branch; below rounded signature L. MERLEY and in the exergue (date). Rv. LIBERTÉ ÉGALITÉ FRATERNITÉ. In the centre: 20 CENTIMES (workshop) and in the exergue (different) ESSAI (different). GEM.50.17 - Maz.- (see 2269) - VG.- (see 4342) ; Zinc - 7,04 g - 25,2 mm - 6 h Top Pop: this is the only graded specimen! PCGS SP63 (60810872). Special strike (SP). Reverse with different lictor beam, used before 1897. Struck on a fairly thick zinc blank. Two known examples according to Taillard and Arnaud. Traces of oxidation in the fields. Superb at Fleur de coin.