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 ...