The obverse: A laureate portrait of Louis, with the inscription "NAPOLEON III EMPEREUR". The engravers name BARRE below the head.
The reverse design consists of an ornate shield with the value "20 FR" at the sides. Around the outside above the wreath is the inscription "EMPIRE FRANCAIS", and the date is below the shield. The mintmark "A" or "BB" appears to the left of the date.
The edge is inscribed in raised lettering "DIEU PROTEGE LA FRANCE".
Photo is illustrative!
Charles Louis Napoleon Bonaparte (1808-1873) was the son of King Louis Bonaparte of Holland, a younger brother of Napoleon Bonaparte. He was elected President (1848-1852) of the Second Republic of France and subsequently Emperor (1852-1870), reigning as Napoleon III (Second French Empire). There was no Napoleon II of France.
He was imprisoned after the second of two abortive coup attempts (October 1836 and August 1840), escaped to the United Kingdom in May 1846, returning after the revolution of February 1848 to win the presidential election in December. Three years later he seized dictatorial powers, proclaiming himself Emperor in December 1852. On April, 28th, 1855 he survived an attempted assassination.
NB! These coins have been in circulation, scratches may appear.