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
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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 |
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 |
Another variation is on a 1942 coin,
where the front head of the head of Liberty, has an extra hair line.
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1942 10 rappen variation |
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 :
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10 rappen severe error |
Most rare are the 1896 coin and the 1875 coin.
to be continued ...
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