The first stamps of France were issued on 1 January 1849. They were designed by Jacques-Jean Barre. The medallion depicts the head of goddess Ceres facing left. In 1852 a new series of definitive stamps were issued, retaining the inscription “REPUB FRANC” but replacing Ceres with the head of Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte. Todays stamp is a mint copy of the 10 C value of this issue. It is one of the great rarities in French philately. CV is no less than 35-38.000 €. Lately a mint copy was sold for 40.000 $ at a Siegel auction.