Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Auction 117 19-20 May 2021
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FRANCE, First Empire. Napoleon I. 1804-1814. AR 5 Francs (38mm, 24.51 g, 6h). Countermarked execratio issue. Paris mint; différents: signature/rooster. Dated 1811 A. Laureate head left; c/ms: facing head of tiger and rectangular punch blinding eye / Denomination within wreath. For coin: VG 584; KM 1694.1; for c/m: F. de Callataÿ and J.-B. Forestier, "Le contremarque au tigre sur les monnaies napoléoniennes," in RN 160 (2004), pp. 343-358. Toned. Host coin - Fine. Countermark - VF. Very rare.
Several Napoleonic issues were overstruck with a countermark commonly referred to as an owl's head. These countermarks were traditionally thought to be modern fantasies struck almost a century after the Napoleonic period. However, they are now described as a tigers's head and, along with the intentional "blinding" of the portrait, are thought to refer to the execratio, or condemnation of Napoleon the Tiger in 1815, who was "caged" at St. Helena after Waterloo.
Several Napoleonic issues were overstruck with a countermark commonly referred to as an owl's head. These countermarks were traditionally thought to be modern fantasies struck almost a century after the Napoleonic period. However, they are now described as a tigers's head and, along with the intentional "blinding" of the portrait, are thought to refer to the execratio, or condemnation of Napoleon the Tiger in 1815, who was "caged" at St. Helena after Waterloo.