Switzerland
Circulation Coins
Certain images are clickable for more detail
The Swiss Confederation was established in 1848. Early coinage was minted abroad in Strasbourg and Paris. There were early gold coins minted only in Geneva, rather than for the Confederation (the 1848 20 francs and 1848 10 francs), which had a similar gold content to the French version, but heavier and with a lower fineness (e.g., 20 francs at 7.6 grams at 0.75 fine). This mintage was extremely limited.
[Research question - why the different parameters in 1848?]
In 1850, the decimalized franc according the Napoleonic standard was formally adopted (here). Domestic minting began in 1853, supplemented by the interchangeability of French, Belgian, and Italian coinage (here, here). Initially only silver coins were minted. The first gold coins were minted in 1883.
100 Francs
(Vreneli)
20 Francs
(Libertas)
20 Francs
(Vreneli - Circulation)
20 Francs
(Vreneli - Bullion)
Circulation Edge
Bullion Edge
Gold was effectively demonetized by the devaluation of 1936. The 1935 20 francs with “L” (for bullion) left of the year are restrikes from 1945-1947. The variety from 1945-1947 is distinguished by “AD | LEGEM ANNI | MCMXXXI” (According to law 1931) on the edge, rather than the stars on the edges of the originals.
The vast majority (40 million of about 60 million) are bullion restrikes dated 1935 or 1945-1947.
