FRANCE - FRANCE Third Republic (1870-1940). Satirical essay on the 5 franc module "Mac Mahon", 2nd type, smooth edge, Special Strike (SP) 1874, Brussels (Würden). MAC-MAHON I - SEPTENNAT. Bare head 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 ten each); surmounted by LOYOLA radiant above and two religious medallions below. Below 5 - F, (date) ESSAI and a rooster. GEM.130.8 - G.749a - Maz.- (cf. 2340) - VG.- (cf. 3857) - Schweyer p.493 ; Gold - 27,06 g - 37,4 mm - 12 h Top Pop: this is the only graded example from PCGS! PCGS SP60 (55936686). Probably three known examples in gold, with our example (27.06 g) and sales Palombo 2, 2005 (32.5 g) = MDC 5 n° 646 or Künker 99 (28.24 g). Traces of cleaning on the right side with a uniform shiny appearance and hairlines on the reverse. Very rare. Superb. Christian Schweyer, Histoire des monnaies satiriques, 2016, sheds light on the symbols present: NAPOLEON F[ecit] on the right is for "fait maréchal par Napoléon 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°.