Faustin Soulouque declared himself Emperor Faustin I in August 1849, transforming Haiti's republic into an empire by sheer force of will and military loyalty. This essai — a pattern strike never approved for circulation — dates to the first full year of his imperial coinage program, when the new regime was still working out denominations and designs. The 6 centimes value was ultimately abandoned; no regular-issue coin of this denomination entered production under Faustin.
Faustin Soulouque declared himself Emperor Faustin I in August 1849, transforming Haiti's republic into an empire by sheer force of will and military loyalty. This essai — a pattern strike never approved for circulation — dates to the first full year of his imperial coinage program, when the new regime was still working out denominations and designs. The 6 centimes value was ultimately abandoned; no regular-issue coin of this denomination entered production under Faustin.