FRANCE - FRANCE Third Republic (1870-1940). Satirical essay on the 5 franc module "Mac Mahon", 2nd type, raised edge 1874, Brussels (Würden). MAC-MAHON I - SEPTENNAT. Nude head to left of Mac Mahon, signature NAPOLEON F. Rv. FRENCH REPUBLIC. Crowned shield, resting on a sword and pin in saltire, with two flags inscribed LOURDES and SALETTE in saltire, under an archbishop's hat (green galero with tassels of twenty acorns); surmounted by LOYOLA radiant above and two religious medallions below. Below 5 - F, (date) ESSAI and a rooster. GEM.130.12 - G.749e - Maz.- (cf. 2340) - VG.- (cf. 3857) - Schweyer p.493 ; Bronze - 21,25 g - 37,2 mm - 12 h Top Pop: this is the most beautiful graded specimen! NGC MS 64 BN (8583601-011). Special strike on bronze blank with smooth edge. Medal strike. With a bright brown patina and remnants of the original red colour. Superb at Fleur de coin. Christian Schweyer, Histoire des monnaies satiriques, 2016, sheds light on the symbols present: NAPOLEON F[ecit] on the right is for "made Marshal by Napoleon III" in 1859. The shield on the reverse combines lilies for his legitimist convictions, an eagle for his career under the Second Empire and, finally, a liberty bonnet, especially for the Republic, of which he became President. The sword and pin symbolise the alliance between the Army and the Church, the country's conservative forces. The royal crown is there in anticipation of a new Restoration. The other elements show the religious nature of the personage. These satirical coins come from the workshop of C. Würden in Brussels and were minted by Menning et C°.