FRANCE - FRANCE Third Republic (1870-1940). Test of 20 centimes Merley, 2nd type, without bundle or branch, blank with 20 lobes, Frappe spéciale (SP) 1887, A, Paris. Av. RÉPUBLIQUE * FRANÇAISE. Crowned head of the Republic right, with pearl necklace; below signature L. M. and (date). Rv. LIBERTÉ ÉGALITÉ FRATERNITÉ. In the centre: 20 CENTIMES (workshop) and in the exergue (different) ESSAI (different). GEM.50.7 = this copy! - Maz.2258b - VG.4049 ; Nickel silver - 4,51 g - 25 mm - 6 h Top Pop: this is the only graded example! From a VSO CGB 46, n° 739. This is the specimen illustrated in Gadoury, essais monétaires et piéforts, n° 50,7, p.156. PCGS SP65 (60810871). Special strike (SP). With scalloped edge with 20 notched lobes. Only a few finger marks brown the fields. Almost corner flower.