Coin dealer directory
History of money: Switzerland
From the first coins to today – and where to find coin dealers.
Before 1850, Switzerland was a patchwork of cantonal currencies: batzen, kreuzer, thalers and dozens of local coins. The Federal Coinage Act of 1850 introduced the Swiss franc of 100 centimes (Rappen), modelled on the French franc, and in 1865 Switzerland became a founding member of the Latin Monetary Union.
The gold 20-franc 'Vreneli' with the head of Helvetia was struck from 1897 to 1949 and remains one of Europe's favourite gold coins. The Swiss National Bank began operating in 1907. In 1968 silver disappeared from everyday coins, so half-franc to five-franc pieces dated earlier contain silver.
Unusually, the franc has kept its name since 1850, and many coin designs – Helvetia, the shepherd on the five-franc piece – have barely changed for over a century. Swiss coins are struck by Swissmint in Bern, marked with the letter B on many issues.
Coin dealers – Switzerland
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