Switzerland Gold Franc

  • Denominations: 100, 20, and 10 Francs
  • Mint: Bern Mint (Swissmint)
  • Tax status: No sales tax or VAT
  • Gold fineness: .900
Category:
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All gold legal tender coins struck in Switzerland including the Switzerland Gold Franc are known informally as the Vreneli. The coins were struck from 1897 to 1936 continuously and intermittently in 1947 and 1949. Any coin that was produced after 1936 is restrike following the cessation of legal tender on 29 September 1936.

The Switzerland Gold Franc comes in the face value denominations of 100, 20, and 10 francs. All the coins have millesimal gold fineness of .900 and are at times colloquially referred to as the “Swiss Miss”. The 100 coin was first issued in 1925. It is 34mm wide and 32.25g heavy although these traits changed for the coins released in 1998-2000. The more common 20-franc coin was first minted in 1926 at 50,000 pieces. It weighs 6.45g in gross, .1866 t/oz gold and is 21mm wide. The 10-franc coin debuted in 1911 at a mintage of 100,000. It is 3.23g heavy with a gold content of .093 t/oz with a diameter of 18.5mm.

The three denominations of the Switzerland Gold Franc have similar obverse features. A bust-size Vreneli (Swiss Miss) facing right with her braided head tilted slightly upwards takes up more than two-thirds of the area. Her neck is adorned with a garland of flowers and a mountain can be seen in the background. The inscription, “Helvetia” above the head runs clockwise. The reverses of the 10- and 100-franc coins are similar with the Swiss cross standing out on a sunburst, face value to the left middle and the text, “FR” to the right middle. The mint year appears below these two inscriptions, but above the wreath depicting alpine plants. Letter, “B” appears below the wreath to denote the Bern mintmark.

The reverse of the 20-franc coin bears a bigger shielded cross in the middle and is surrounded by Swiss Alps. The value, “20” and “FR” are to the left- and right-middle respectively. The year is at the bottom next to the mintmark, “B”. The Switzerland Gold Franc was struck by Bern Mint (now Swissmint) and trading in it is free of sales tax or VAT.

Additional information

Mint

Swiss Mint

Country of Origin

Switzerland

Series

Franc

Weight

3.22 gm, 6.45 gm

Pure Gold Content

0.0932 Troy oz, 0.1867 Troy oz

Purity

900.0

Dimensions

18.50 mm, 21.00 mm

Alloy

Gold Au 900

Denomination

10 Francs, 20 Francs

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