Coinage of Switzerland

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The mint marks of the Paris Mint.

They appeared on the obverse of the higher denominations.

'A' appeared on the reverse to denote the Paris Mint.

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Switzerland, 2 francs, 1857.

In 1857 German artist Friedrich Korn altered the engraving slightly.

His surname now appeared in the exergue.

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Switzerland, 2 francs, 1857.

The Bern Mint now started producing the coins.

A letter 'B' appeared in the exergue on the reverse.

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Switzerland, 2 francs, 1850.

Notice also the difference in the font used for the figure '2'.

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Switzerland, 5 francs, 1874.

Later, we find coins of this era with a blank exergue on the obverse.

Some say that these appear on the commemorative 5 franc coins.

This image, however, is said to be of a circulation 5 francs of 1874.

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Switzerland, 2 francs, 1875.

From 1874 the 2 francs coin was issued with a new obverse design.

The new design, by Swiss artist Albert Walch, depicted a standing Helvetia.

From 1875 the same design was also used on the ½ franc and 1 franc coins.

Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

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Interlaken and the Jungfrau mountain.

What did Switzerland look like in those days?

Here is a 1875 painting by Hubert Sattler.

It shows Interlaken and the Jungfrau mountain.

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Interesting topic, thanks! Two things I find quite remarkable about the face value (reverse?) sides: First, hardly any change over the years, if you look at the 5 ct/rp and above coins. Also, they look similar, and yet different with regard to what the wreath consists of.

Christian

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Switzerland, 5 rappen, 1884.

In 1879 the 5 and 10 rappen coins acquired a new obverse design.

This time it showed not Helvetia but an female allegory of freedom.


The 20 rappen acquired this new obverse design in 1881.

The reverse designs of these three coins did not change.

These obverse and reverse designs are still used to this day.


Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

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Switzerland, 20 francs, 1888.

A gold 20 francs coin was introduced from 1883.


It featured Liberty on the obverse.

On the reverse the Swiss shield appeared within a laurel and oak wreath.

Who knows the meaning of the single star on the reverse?


Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

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Switzerland, 5 francs, 1916.

From 1888 to 1916 a silver 5 francs was issued.

Helvetia was featured on the obverse.


The reverse featured a differently shaped shield.

It was flanked by oak and laurel sprigs.


Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

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Switzerland, 20 francs, 1897.

In 1897 the first Vreneli was issued. It was a 20 franc gold bullion coin that actually circulated. The 20 franc coins were 21 mm in diameter, 1.25 mm in thickness, and weighed 6.45 grams.

The coins are colloquially known as the "Swiss Miss" because of the obverse design. The reverse of the 20 franc coin shows the Swiss shield, a wreath of oak, and the denomination. The coins were minted at the Swiss Mint at Bern.

Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

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Switzerland, 10 francs, 1912.

The 10 francs coin of the Vreneli series.

It was struck from 1911 to 1916 and also in 1922.


The reverse this time showed Alpine roses.

Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

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Switzerland, 100 francs, 1925.

The 100 francs coin of the Vreneli series was struck in 1925 only.

It carried similar designs to the 10 francs coin of the series.

Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

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Alpine roses.