Currency Today : Switzerland 06 b

This is the last post on the Swiss coins in circulation.

Last time I presented some old 5 franc coins, but in what follows, is the current design:

5 Francs C (coin alignment ↑↓)

5 Swiss Frank design 1922

For the first time we see a herdsman with a hoodie. Often is thought that this is Willhem Tell, the famous hero who shot an apple from the head of his son - but it's not.
On the reverse side, the Swiss coat of arms, now with 5 FR on top of it, and the date and mint mark below it. The seal is surrounded by a wreaht, consisting of Edelweiss on one side, and Gentian on the other side.
Edelweiss is also a national flower of Switzerland (and Austria).

Edelweiss

The famous song 'Edelweiss' from the movie and musical 'The Sound of Music' is often thought to be an old Swiss or Austrian song. Nothing is less true, as it was composed by Rogers and Hammerstein in 1965.

Due to Covid-19 - the hills are closed

This coin was only issued in 1922 and 1923 and contained 90% silver.

5 Francs D (coin alignment ↑↓)

In 1931, the coin became smaller 31.45 mm diameter in stead of 37 mm - and lighter, 15 g in stead of 25 g - but still 90% silver
Two other modifications were made to the coin:

5 Swiss Frank design 1931

The coat of arms is made smaller compared to the previous version.
Where the old version had 5 Fr. on the coin, the new design has 5 FR.
These coins were made till 1969 and were taken out of cirulation in 1971.

5 Francs E (medal alignment ↑↑)

From 1969 on the coins are cupronickel and the design remained the same.

The inscription on the edge of the coin was incused between 1985 and 1993, the other coins have the text embossed. In 2004 all coins from 1985 to 1993 were demonitized and taken out of circulation.

text on the edge is embossed

to be continued ...

Currency Today : Switzerland 06 a

Today I present the last circulation coin of the current swiss coinset, the 5 Francs coin. Probably the largest coin in circulation at the moment.

5 Francs A  (Medal alignment ↑↑)

The first edition of this coin came in 1850 when the 'new' designs were introduced.

5 Swiss Francs 1850 - 1884

This first set (1850-1884) had a 'seated Helvetia' on the obverse side and a wreach with date and denomination on the reverse side.

The coins were 35 mm in diameter and weighted 25 g. This coin contained 90% silver. It was made after the 5 franc coins that were in used in France at that time.

5 French francs 1875

Below the wreach we find the mint mark.

A - minted in Paris, France
B - Minted in Berne, Switzerland
B. - Minted in Brussels, Belgium

Coins without mint mark are from 1884 and in 1874 a coin without date was issued too.

5 Francs B (Coin alignment ↑↓)

5 Swiss Francs 1888 - 1916

In 1888 the design of the coin changed completely.

The obverse side showed the head of Helvetia with a crown of gentian.
I know the coin is not in colour, but today's question is: is it red, blue or yellow gentian we see?
(answer see below ...)

detail of the gentian crown

On the reverse side is now the coat of arms of Switzerland, deviding the value 5 Fr. onto a 5 on the left and the Fr. on the right. Above the coat of arms is a star. The coat of arms is surrounded by a wreath and below it, we see the mint mark.

***spoiler alert*** 

Well the question seems futile if there were not such huge differences between red, blue and yellow gentian.

For sure it is not the yellow gentian, as that is rather a large plant:

Yellow Gentian (Gentiana Lutea)

This Gentiana Lutea, is a true alpine flower, but not really loved for it's colour nore it's appearance.

Second could be the red gentian (Gentiana Purpurea) which is a much smaller flower than his 'yellow' brother, but here the shape of the leaves are different.

Red Gentian (Gentiana Purpurea)

Leaves us the last option, the eye candy of the alps, the blue - stemless - gentian (Gentiana Acaulis), with its royal blue colour and typical shape.

Blue Gentian (Gentiana Acaulis)

In 1972 this flower was even subjet to a song by Heino : "Blau, blau blau blüht der (G)enzian..."
For the current image of the 5 francs coin, see my next post.

to be continued ...

Currency Today : Switzerland 05

In 1850, with the introduction of the new coins in Switzerland, the design for the 1 and 2 franc coin was set. For a limited time a 'seated Helvetia' was on the coins.
Only in 1850, 1851, 1857, 1860 an 1861 coins were issued.

In 1875 a new design was adopted and except for the extra star in 1981 (see my previous post) the design remained unchanged.

1 Franc

1 Swiss franc coin (23 stars)

The 1850 issue contained 90% silver - this was debased to 80% in the 1860 issue.
From 1875 on, the image changed to the 'standing Helvetia' and also the weight of the coin went down from 5 g to 4,4. The amount of silver dropped with 10% (from 4 g to 3.66 g).
In 1968 the coin was replaced by a copper-nickel coin, and by 1971, the coins containing silver were taken out of circulation.

Till 1981 the coins had coin alignment ↑↓ and 22 stars. The 1982 version still has 22 stars, but now with medal alignement ↑↑.  With the addition of the 23rd star in 1983, the medal alignment ↑↑ remained.

The spacing of the numerals of the year can vary, depending on the year, and are therfore no errors.

2 Francs

2 Swiss francs

The story of the 2 francs coin is simiar to the one of the 1 franc.
This coin is double the weight of the 1 franc coin (10 g till 1875, and 8.8 g from that year on).
Also the amount of silver has the same story : 90% in 1850 - 80% in 1860 - and 83.5% of the reduced volume from 1875 to 1968.

Similar to the 1 Fr. coin, the coins containing silver were taken out of circulation in 1971.

wreath of oak and alpine rose

On both coins we find a wreath formed of two branches: pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) on the left and alpine rose (Rhododendron ferrugineum).

For the coin and medal alignment see the remark for the 1 franc coins.
Coins with mint mark B and without mint mark are possible.

A. Bovy

Beneath the image of Helvetia, we find the text A. BOVY INCT.

detail on 1 and 2 franc coin

Antoine Bovy (Geneva 1795 - 1877) was a Swiss medallion maker who improved the technique for making medals. His embossing mechanism made it possible to produce medals / coins in large amounts

engraved image of Antoine Bovy (1795-1877)

to be continued ...

Currency Today : Switzerland 04

The fourth coin in use in Switzerland is a half franc coin.
Most currencies issue 50 cents coins and not the decimal 1/2 franc.

This is among my favourite coins, and - again -  there is much to say about the small coin.

1/2 franc

The first design dates from 1850.
These coins are similar to the previous ones, with the value on the front side and a wreath.
On the obverse side is a seated Helvetia depicted. The female figure is personalisation of Switzerland.
This coin contained 90% silver, and in 1875 it was replaced by a coin depicting a standing Helvetia.
At the same time, the amount of silver was reduced to 83.5%.
In 1968 the coins were replaced by copper-nickel coins and in 1971 the older coins were taken out of circulation.

The coins of 1875 - 1968 have the coin alignment, where the coins after 1968 have a medal alignment (see my previous post).

1/2 Swiss franc 1875-1968 design

Now there are some coins to look for that are a bit different, but not necessarily rare:
The 1968 and 1969 coin exist with and without the 'B' (Bern) mintmark.
The coins without mint mark, were minted in London (UK)

1/2 frank coin without mintmark B

The picture below shows two 1/2 franc coins, one from the first minting, the second one from 1983 or later. Besides the different alloy (which is difficult to see on a picture), there is another difference, which you might not know.

2 'different' 1/2 franc coins...

Take a look at both coins and try to find out, before scrolling down...

First some hints :

map of Switzerland with different cantons

First of all, nowadays there are 26 cantons in Switzerland. A canton is a region in Switzerland, with certain levels of independency.
In fact Switzerland is a confederated state (CH = Confederation Helvetica), with semi-independent states.

This confederation has a long history, and dates back to 1291!
The first participants were Uri (1), Schwyz (2) and Unterwalden (3) - now split up as Obwalden and Niederwalden.
In 1332, Lüzern (4) joined the union, followed by Zürich (5) in 1351, Glarus (6) and Zug (7) in 1352 and Bern (8) in 1353.  Fribourg (9) and Solothurn (10) joined in 1481.

In 1501, Basel (11) and Schaffhausen (12) became a member too. Basel split up later on in Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft. In 1513, Appenzell (13) participated (now as Appenzell-Ausserrhoden and Appenzell-Innerrhoden).

Then it lasted till the 19th century when the confederation extended again with Sankt Gallen (14), Graubünden/Grisons (15), Aargau (16) and Thurgau (17), Ticino (18) and Vaud (19).
Finally in 1815 also Wallis/Valais (20), Neuchâtel (21) and Vaud (22) became part of the Swiss Union.

***spoiler alert***

In 1979 the last of the cantons was added : Jura (23)
The coins till 1982 (yes 3 years later) - therefore have 22 stars at the back side, and from 1983 on 23 stars.

before 1983 and after 1983

Because of the split up of some cantons (Unterwalden, Basel and Appenzell) there are in fact 26 cantons, but there are 'only' 23 stars - the original cantons that entered the union.

This image of the standing Helvetia, is also used for the 1 and 2 franc coins.

to be continued ...

Currency Today : Switzerland 03

 In this third post on Swiss currency, I present the 20 rappen coin.

20 rappen

The coin that is currently in circulation, was the renewed design of a coin that was introduced in 1850.
In 1879 the more modern design was adopted, and the previous coins, that contained 15% of silver, were replaced by nickel coins in 1881 and copper-nickel coins in 1939.
Pre-1938 coins were taken out of circulation, so the oldest coin you normally can encounter is from 1939.

20 rappen Switzerland

This 20 rappen coin also has a wreath, but now a national flower 'the alpine rose' (Rhododendron Ferrugineum) is depicted.

20 rappen Alpine Rose -design

Alpine rose or Rhododendron ferrugineum

There are no extreme errors like the 10 rappen coin, but there is one coin that has a beautiful error.

The 1947 coin exists in two variations, one with a dot, and one without a dot. 

20 rappen variations without and with dot

The coins with a dot, are more rare, but not extremely rare.
Rare coins are those from 1887, 1898 and 1927

to be continued ...

Currency Today : Switzerland 02

The second coin in circulation in Switzerland is a 10 rappen-coin.
Although with a low face value, it is without any doubt de most interesting coin to look for.

10 rappen

10 Swiss rappen

Between 1850 and 1876 the coins had the coat of arms of Switzerland on the back side. These coins contained 10% silver, and therefore they were replaced in 1879 by copper-nickel coins. They have the image of the head of  'Liberty' on the reverse side.

Opposite to the 5 rappen coins, which had grapes and grape leaves on the coin, the 10 rappen coin has oak leaves.

10 rapppen with oak leaves

The alloy changed only few times : 1919–1931: Cu-Ni, 1932–1939: Ni, and since 1940: Cu-Ni.

In 1886, the first version (1850-1876) with the coat of arms were taken out of circulation, but the others remained in circulation. Therfore it is possible to find a 1879 coin in your change, as they remain legal tender!

Any variations to look for?

First of all not all coins are coins, some are medals too.  This has to do with their orientation. Before you start writing me about equal rights and non-discrimination laws... coin or medal orientation is the way the front side of the coin/medal is printed in relation to the back side.

Holding a coin between index fingar and thumb

Hold a coin between thumb and index finger and make sure the front side is upright.

Now you turn the coin around its verical axis, until you see the back side.
If the coin is still presenting the image/text upright, we call it 'medal orientation'.
This comes from the soldiers who had medals printed that way. The medal was supposed to be upright no mather how the soldier was presenting the medal. A flip over made the medal still upright.
These type of printing is typical for British, European and Japanese coins.

If the coin shows an upside down image when flipped around the vertical axis, we call it coin orientated. This can be seen on American, Thai and old French coins.

In catalogues a medal orientation is indicated as : medal alignment ↑↑
and coin orientation is indicated as : coin alignment ↑↓

There is a variation on a 1925 coin, where the normal medal alignment is slightly disturbed.
Only few coins are known with this variation:

1925 10 rappen variation picture belongs to : https://www.sincona.com/en/

In 1939 a unique variation occured. Only one coin so far is known. Only one side is printed, and the 10 rappen image is not present.

1939 10 rappen variation picture belongs to : https://www.sincona.com/en/

Another variation is on a 1942 coin, where the front head of the head of Liberty, has an extra hair line.

1942 10 rappen variation picture belongs to : https://www.sincona.com/en/

Finally a variation that is more like a misprint that made it into circulation.

I cannot image that this coin, or what is left over, ever came in circulation, without anyone asking what the f... happend to that coins.
I present it to you to be complete :

10 rappen severe error picture belongs to : https://www.sincona.com/en/

Most rare are the 1896 coin and the 1875 coin.

to be continued ...

Currency Today : Switzerland 01

Switzerland is located in the heart of the European continent.

S for stability
W for watches
I for independency
T for Toblerone chocolate
Z for being Zen in the Alps
E for expensive
R for reliability
L for languages
A for Alps
N for neutrality
D for democracy

The most spectacular thing I remember, was the change of the colour of the 5 rappen (cent) from silver to gold in 1981.I have been visiting Switzerland since I was a kid, and I remeber that although the banknotes changed a couple of times though the years, the coins remained the same all the time.

The fact that the design hasn't changed in a century, can sound boring, but it isn't at all, if you dig a bit deeper in the coins that you can find in your swiss wallet...

Swiss coins in circulation

At first, all coins look the same, except for the 5 rappen and the 5 francs.
The other coins look pretty similar, but they are not the same.

5 rappen

The current design of the 5 rappen-coin dates from 1879. Older coins contained 5 to 15% of silver, and had a different reverse image.

1879 to 1980 5 rapppen coin

From 1879 to 1980 a silver coloured coin (Cupronickel) was in use, in 1981 it was replaced by a gold coloured version (Aluminium Bronze).

5 rappen since 1981

The 5 rappen coin shows a wreach of grapes.

In the many years the coin is in use, the alloy did change in between too.
To be fully specific :1918: brass (Cu-Zn), 1919–1931: Cu-Ni, 1932–1939: Ni, 1940: Cu-Ni, 1941: Ni, 1942–1980: Cu-Ni, from 1981: Cu-Al. The pre-1981 versions were taken out of circulation in 1984.
Those pre-1981 will not be found in your change when buying something, but for those who haven't been in Switzerland since 1981, it is worth taking a closer look at the small coins that might have have slipped your attention.

Should you have a 1902 coin in your collection, then you can search for a nice variation too:

5 rappen coin of 1902 - 2 variations

Beneath the knot under the 5, we see a little "B" - this refers to Bern.
However, from 1970 till 1985 there is no 'B' on the coins.

to be continued ...