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V15 2012 INDEX       E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 15, Number 11, March 11, 2012, Article 21

NAPOLEON III, THE FRENCH VAMPIRE

One of several nice articles in the February 2012 issue of Moneta (a publication of the Ottawa Numismatic Society) is Napoleon III, the French Vampire by Kim Zbitnew. With permission, here are the introductory paragraphs and images of the satirical medal in question, along with images of the coin it imitates (Images are Copyright Kim Zbitnew). Thanks! -Editor

French satirical medal obverse French satirical medal reverse

French 10 Centimes obverse French 10 Centimes reverse

Some numismatic items scream to be acquired. A few years ago, I saw a piece at Alliance Coins, in Almonte, that did just that, and immediately got it, even though I had no idea what the story behind it was. Simple research revealed the bare facts: it was a satirical medal that used distorted imagery from the circulating coinage, and was issued after the defeat of France in the Franco-Prussian War. The loss was blamed on Emperor Napoleon III, who was captured in the battle of Sedan and deposed days later.

Is this the whole story? Is it just another piece similar to the "Diefenbucks" issued in Canada in the 1960s, after the devaluation of the Canadian dollar? Do we just chuckle and move on?

Deeper research tells another story. In fact, there are many stories. There is the story of the satirical piece, the story of Napoleon III, and the story of the Franco-Prussian War. Of course, all of them are intertwined, and this short article can only touch on them and perhaps whet your appetite to learn more.

For more information about Moneta and the Ottawa Numismatic Society, see: ons-sno.ca

Since January 2012, moneta is the only entirely bilingual (English/French) numismatic publication in North America (before only 30% of the material was also published in French). It won first prize in the Best Local Numismatic Publication of the ANA in 2010.

It is published ten times a year and is distributed electronically. Membership is only 12 CAD. Soon after the publication year ends, a library-quality hardbound book is prepared and published in full colour on 80-lb acid freed paper (letter size). The 2011 edition will have 408 pages.

For more information please contact the Ottawa Numismatic Association's president at president@ons-sno.ca.

Wayne Homren, Editor

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The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit organization promoting numismatic literature. See our web site at coinbooks.org.

To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor at this address: whomren@gmail.com

To subscribe go to: https://my.binhost.com/lists/listinfo/esylum

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