Jacques-Jean Barre



Jacques-Jean Barre (3 August 1793 in Paris-10 June 1855 in Paris) was the 17th chief coin engraver (graveur général) at the Monnaie de Paris between 1842 and 1855. In this position, he engraved and designed French medals, the Great Seal of France, bank notes and postage stamps, as well as the first Swiss coinage which was initially minted there.

From the late 1840s until 1855, he created the first two French postage stamp designs: the Ceres series and Napoleon III series.

His two sons, artists themselves, succeeded him at the post of general engraver:
 * Albert Désiré Barre
 * and Jean-Auguste Barre (for only one year).