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
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| 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
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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
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| engraved image of Antoine Bovy (1795-1877) |
to be continued ...
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