1974 Switzerland 1/2 Franc

Swiss chocolate is as common as these Swiss coins but I am still grateful if I get either. The Swiss Franc is still doing well in exchange rates compared to the U.S. dollar which explains why I am still finding so many.

Over 40 years old and still holding up well. As the weather improves I hope to find more but February brought less coins my way. The frozen city was not a place for tourist so fewer chances to find things in my change. I am ready for the warmer weather and the change that comes with it.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1/2 Franc / Switzerland
Year: 1974
Mintage: 45,004,000
Metal: Copper-Nickel
Value: $0.55 in XF

Do you have a coin from Switzerland and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.

2004 Switzerland 1 Franc

This is one of the rarest francs of this series. Unfortunately that means little since at over 2 million made it is still common.  

Typical design from the Swiss with the Helvetia name that confuses some people.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Franc / Switzerland
Year: 2004
Mintage: 2,026,000
Metal: Copper-Nickel
Value: $0.65 in XF

Do you have a coin from Switzerland and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.

1982 Switzerland 5 Rappen

The second most common 5 Rappen is this one from 1982. Still it is nice to get an 30+ year older foreign coin in my change. This is the first 5 rappen I found in the wild and probably only got it because it was from a take a penny, leave a penny tray.

This one has a fruited wreath, I think grapes, with the value in the center. The front has the typical Confederatio Helvetica which basically means the Swiss Confederation. It also has what looks loke Liberty wearing a LIBERTY head band.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 5 Rappen / Switzerland
Year: 1982
Mintage: 75,340,000
Metal: Aluminum-Bronze
Value: $0.10 in XF

Do you have a coin from Switzerland and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.

1985 Switzerland 20 Rappen

Found two Swiss coins in a find a penny leave a penny tray. 20 rappen coins are nickel sized and are the easiest Swiss coin to find in my change.

The floral wreath is on the 20 rappen coin and each coin has a different type of wreath. 

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 20 Rappen / Switzerland
Year: 1985
Mintage: 40,027,000
Metal: Copper-Nickel
Value: $0.40 in Extra-Fine

Do you have a coin from Switzerland and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.

2008 Switzerland 1/2 Franc

Swiss money is still worth than American money. Just ten percent higher but still enough to make their economy stable. Still they rely heavily on low wage workers so small change is still used in abundance. 

1/2 francs are like half dollars in the U.S. except they are the size of a dime and are commonly used. The back has the wreath commonly seen on Swiss coins and the date with the denomination. The front has 23 stars around a standing figure leaning on a cross shield and holding a spear. Under the figure is HELVETIA and the initial A.BOVY and INCF.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1/2 Franc / Switzerland
Year: 2008
Mintage: 25,022,000
Metal: Copper-Nickel
Value: $0.55 in XF

Do you have a coin from Switzerland and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.

2007 Switzerland 10 Rappen

Since 1879 the Swiss 10 Rappen has not changed. Minor changes maybe but it is the same crowned head with CONFOEDERATIO HELVETICA and the date. The other side has a wreath and the value with the B mint mark under the wreath.

Recently a group of Swiss citizens dumped  $2,800 in coins, I believe 8 million 5-rappen coins, representing each of its citizens and the minimum wage they want to make into law. Since Switzerland is one of richest countries in Europe they can afford to pay every adult that wage. Still the government is not pleased with the possibility despite many citizens that struggle without an official minimum wage law on the books.

Just like a coin that has at least two sides so does the issue. Limiting wages in Switzerland has kept the economy strong without abusing lower classes or giving to much entitlements to the rich. Yet when wages are limited so is innovation for both the rich and poor. If anyone can make it work it will be the Swiss.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 10 Rappen / Switzerland
Year: 2007
Mintage: 18,024,000
Metal: Copper-Nickel
Value: $0.25 in XF

Do you have a coin from Switzerland and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.

1978 Switzerland Franc

Have a Swiss coin and want to know its value? Leave a comment

The Swiss Franc is worth $1.06 in U.S. Dollars and that is a low compared to a year ago when it was above $1.25. That is because Switzerland did not adopt the Euro and being a neutral country they are very stable, not perfect but stable.

This is one of the few example of coins that actual gain value in all categories:

• Metal Value
• Face Value (although buying power is less)
• Currency Exchange

Aside from countrywide stability the coins themselves have looked exactly the same for 100+ years. They do not do much of those special commemorative coins for circulation, they are not Canada. 

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Franc / Switzerland
Year: 1978
Mintage: 13,548,000
Metal: Copper-Nickel
Value: $1.06 in Very-Fine

Do you have a coin from Switzerland and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you. 

1970 Switzerland 20 Rappen

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Years have passed since I found a Switzerland coin in my change then I got this one last week. I have been waiting to talk about these coins since they cause lots of confusion and questions among non-collectors.

Confusion
It has no recognizable country name, symbols, or denomination. Why the vagueness? Well Switzerland has four official languages (German, French, Italian, Romansh) and they like to keep coins language neutral so they use Latin and abbreviations as much as possible.

CONFŒDERATIO HELVETICA (CONFEDERATION SWISS) 1970 around Lady Liberty with LIBERTAS in hair band.

Flower wreath and ribbon around 20

The Helvetic Confederation is the national symbol of Switzerland usually represented by a woman holding a Swiss shield and spear. It is the same as saying Swiss Confederation in case you are not sure.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 20 Rappen / Switzerland
Year: 1970
Mintage: 45,605,000
Metal: Copper-Nickel
Value: $0.25 in Very-Fine

Swiss money has been in the news recently. Since the Swiss never adopted the euro it has become a safe haven for investors as the dollar and euro fall in value. Switzerland has relatively strong economy and they want to keep it that way so they purposely are using methods to make their francs less valuable. By lowering interest rates and other small steps they hope that Swiss money stays secure in shadows.This is being done because as the Swiss Franc rising and the Swiss are shopping in neighboring countries.

Do you have a coin from Switzerland and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you. 

Swiss Has Holes

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So many things are wrong with this little obsolete coin. First thing is that it has a hole in it, which is never good. Then it is the wrong color. Finally it is beginning to rust. All of this leads me to believe that some jeweler got their hands on this coin.

The hole is very precise and drilled in one direction. You can barely see that inside the silver color extends into the hole but underneath is a copper color. According to all the records this should be a bronze coin. The coin is slightly magnetic, the strongest attraction being on the edge. Did someone plate it with steel? That would explain the rust.

It is supposed to weigh 1.54 grams if bronze and oddly enough even with the hole that is exactly what it weighs. Again just guessing but the steel is adding extra weight.

It is a tiny coin 16mm meaning it is perfect for all types of jewelery from earrings to pendants to cufflinks. I have even seen these coins sewn on handbags.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Rappen / Switzerland
Year: 1958 B
Mintage: 20,142,000
Metal: Bronze?
Value: Damaged $0.01

If there any other possible explanations for the color please let me know.

Do you have a coin from Switzerland and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.