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 ...