Coinage of Switzerland

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Switzerland, 5 francs, 1922.

In 1922 a new type of 5 francs coin was issued. It superseded the previous version, which was last minted in 1916. The new coin portrayed a shepherd on the obverse. Some think that this shepherd is William Tell, but that is not the case. The obverse design of the shepherd was amended slightly.

The reverse of the coin features two sprigs. I believe that the left-hand sprig represents edelweiss, the national flower, and the right-hand sprig once again is of alpine roses. Is that correct?

It was a large coin: 37 mm in diameter and weighing 25 g.

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Switzerland, 5 francs, 1925.

A new version of the 5 francs coin was issued from 1924 to 1928.

The reverse legend then read '5 FR' instead of '5 Fr.'

Both versions of the coin were made of .900 silver.

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Switzerland, 5 francs, 1931.

In 1931 another new version of the 5 francs coin was issued.

It superseded the others.

This version was issued up to and including 1969.


It was made of .800 silver but was smaller and lighter.

It was 24.5 mm in diameter and weighed 15 grams.


The obverse portrait was also amended: see the hair.

Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

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The edelweiss flower: Leontopodium nivale.

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From 1932 to 1939 the 10 rappen coin was made of nickel instead of copper-nickel.

After that, it reverted to copper-nickel.

Switzerland remained neutral during World War II, as it had done during World War I.

From Wikipedia:

During World War II, detailed invasion plans were drawn up by the Germans, but Switzerland was never attacked. Switzerland was able to remain independent through a combination of military deterrence, concessions to Germany, and good fortune as larger events during the war delayed an invasion.

Switzerland, 1 rappen, 1945.

However, from 1942 to 1946 Switzerland minted its 1 and 2 rappen coins in zinc.

This was done as an economy measure.

Above you see the zinc 1 rappen coin.

Images courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

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Switzerland, 2 rappen, 1946.

Here we see the zinc 2 rappen coin.

Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

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Switzerland, 1 rappen, 1970.

After the war, from 1948 onward, new style 1 and 2 rappen coins were issued.

They were made of bronze and showed the Swiss cross on the obverse.

The reverse featured the denominational numeral superimposed over an oat sprig.

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Switzerland, 2 rappen, 1970.

The reverse of the 2 rappen coin.

The obverse design was the same as that of the 1 rappen coin.

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From 1968 onward, the ½ franc and the 1, 2 and 5 franc coins were minted in copper-nickel instead of silver.

This was because of the increasing value of silver.

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Switzerland, 5 rappen, 1995.

From 1981 the 5 rappen coin was minted in aluminium-bronze.

Previously it had been minted in copper-nickel.

This differentiated it from the 10 and 20 rappen coins.

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2 francs, 1875.

Before 1983, the obverse of the ½ franc and 1 and 2 franc coins showed 22 stars.

They surrounded the figure of Helvetia: 11 to the left of her and 11 to the right.




2 francs, 1983.

In 1983 an extra star was added to the right of Helvetia.

This represented the new canton of Jura.

It had been created in 1979 by separating it from the canton of Bern.

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Just want to encourage you to continue posting the colour pictures of the design elements (in case you needed encouragement ). I also appreciate the large pictures of high quality coins, that allow me to see much more detail at a glance. I disagree with the often heard complaints of Swiss coins being dull. Highly conservative, yes, but well designed.

Peter

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

Not me.   But it is interesting that on some Swiss coins, thirteen stars appear on the edge (along with the Dominus providebit inscription). Some claim that they refer to the thirteen places (de) of the Old Confederation, others say that these 13 have no particular meaning - and Swissmint tends to share that view. Anyway, maybe the single star refers to the post-1848 confederation? As in, hmm, E Pluribus Unum? (Just a guess.)

Christian

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Vreneli.

The story behind the "Vreneli" designs is quite interesting. Landry initially came up with a fairly young woman or girl, but the government criticized that design - not mature enough, does not represent the country etc.  So he made a new one. The attached image is from the Swissmint brochure (German) about the coin and its history.

Christian

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The curl.

Others disliked the high mountains in the background ("too much cliché").

Even when the final design of the 20 Fr coin was presented, there were objections to "that frivolous forehead curl".

(Source: same as above)

So that had to be modified again.

Christian