FRANCE - FRANCE Second Empire / Napoleon III (1852-1870). Test of 1 franc head laurel, fluted edge, burnished flan (PROOF) 1866, E, Paris. Av. NAPOLEON III - EMPEROR. Head laureate left, below (workshop) and signature BARRE. Rv. FRENCH EMPIRE. Imperial arms posed on a crowned mantle and broaching on the sceptre and the hand of justice, accosted by 1 - F; below (anchor) (date) (anchor). VG.3691 - Maz - (cf. 1672) - G.463; Silver - 23 mm - 6 h Top Pop: this is the most beautiful graded example! From the Eric P. Newman collection. NGC PF 66 (2039575-047). Blank browned (PROOF) with fluted edge. With E under the bust: listed by Guilloteau but absent from Mazard! With an incredible patina, grey and pink with iridescent highlights! A perfect and extremely rare piece. Corner flower.