FRANCE - FRANCE Second Empire / Napoleon III (1852-1870). Test of 5 francs bare head, on bronze blank in the module of 2 francs, by Barre 1858, Paris. Av. NAPOLEON III - MPEREUR. Naked head left, below (different) BARRE (different). Rv. FRENCH EMPIRE. Within a wreath formed of two branches: 5 FRANCS (date) and below ESSAI. G.737 - Maz.1644b - VG.3535 (26,8 mm) ; Bronze - 3 g - 26,7 mm - 6 h Top Pop: the only graded example! NGC MS 63 BN (8583600-040). Special strike on a thin bronze blank in the 2 franc module (a test in the 1 franc module, 23 mm, also exists). The original red colour remains visible under a light brown patina. A tiny stain on the bust. Superb at Fleur de coin.