NAPOLÉON III December 2, 1852 - September 2, 1870 - Lot 203

NAPOLÉON III December 2, 1852 - September 2, 1870 NAPOLÉON III EMPEROR Nude head of the Emperor on the right signed Albert BARRE. R/. Crowned imperial coat of arms surmounting a scepter and a hand of justice in saltire, between a palm and a laurel branch, surrounded by a ribbon reading: EXPOSITION UNIVERSELLE AGRICULTURE INDUSTRIE BEAUX-ARTS / PARIS 1855. Around the edge, the shields of the 20 participating countries. Smooth edge and hand and SILVER hallmark. Silver medal 1855 awarded to MR MICHEL PRET DU JURY 1855. Ø 56.59 mm (130.05 g) Superb. EXPOSITION UNIVERSELLE PARIS 1855 de l'Agriculture, de l'Industrie et des Beaux-Arts The first Exposition Universelle in France took place in Paris from May 15 to November 15, 1855. There were 20 participating countries and their colonies (except Russia, in conflict with the Crimean War!!!). A total of 25,600 exhibitors. The cost of the exhibition was 11,340,000 francs, with receipts of 3,200,000 francs. Despite all this, there was a deficit of 8 million francs. But it was a prestige operation, demonstrating France's greatness to foreign nations and enabling Napoleon III to consolidate his position. By the time the exhibition closed its doors in mid-November, 5,162,330 visitors had trodden the aisles of the Palais de l'Industrie.