1 Franc Helvetia standing; copper-nickel

Features

Issuer SwitzerlandSwitzerland (1848-date)
Period Federal State (1848-date)
Type Standard circulation coin
Years 1968-2024
Value 1 Franc
1 CHF = USD 1.13
Currency Franc (1850-date)
Composition Copper-nickel (75% copper, 25% nickel)
Weight 4.40 g
Diameter 23.20 mm
Thickness 1.55 mm
Shape Round
Technique Milled
Orientation Variable alignment ↺
Number
N#
185
References HMZ 2# 1204,
Jürg Richter, Ruedi Kunzmann; 2006. Der neue HMZ-Katalog / Band. 2. Die Münzen der Schweiz und Liechtensteins : 15./16. Jahrhundert bis Gegenwart. Battenberg Gietl Verlag, Regenstauf, Germany.
Divo/Tob19# 307a,
Jean-Paul Divo, Edwin Tobler; 1967. Die Münzen der Schweiz im 19. Und 20. Jahrhundert. Bank Leu AG, Zürich, Switzerland.
KM# 24a,
Tracy L. Schmidt (editor); 2019. Standard Catalog of World Coins / 2001-Date (14th edition). Krause Publications, Stevens Point, Wisconsin, United States.
And 5 more volumes.
Schön# 28a,
Gerhard Schön; 2022. Weltmünzkatalog / 20. Jahrhundert: 1901-2000 (47. Auflage). Battenberg Gietl Verlag, Regenstauf, Germany.
And 1 more volumes.
Schön# 58
Gerhard Schön; 2022. Weltmünzkatalog / 20. Jahrhundert: 1901-2000 (47. Auflage). Battenberg Gietl Verlag, Regenstauf, Germany.
And 1 more volumes.

Series: Helvetia standing series

Obverse

Full-length figure of Helvetia, standing, facing left, wearing toga, holding spear in right hand, and supporting shield with coat of arms of Switzerland with left hand. 22 stars around, representing the 22 cantons of the Swiss confederation. In 1983, a 23rd star was added for the Canton of Jura, which was founded in 1979.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
HELVETIA
A. BOVY INCᵀ.

Unabridged legend: Antoine Bovy incidit

Translation: Engraved by Antoine Bovy.

Engraver: Antoine Bovy

Designer: Albert Walch

Reverse

Wreath formed of oak and alpine rose branches tied with a ribbon below.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
1 Fr.
1980

Engraver: Antoine Bovy

Designer: Friedrich Fisch

Edge

Reeded

Mints

Royal Mint (Tower Hill), London, United Kingdom (1810-1975)
B Bern, Switzerland (1225-date)
B Royal Mint (Tower Hill), London, United Kingdom (1810-1975)

Comments

In 1967, the price of silver soared steeply, reaching 260 francs per kilogram in August and 350 francs per kilogram in March 1968. At this time, the melt value of the 1 franc pieces was ≈1.46 francs. Switzerland started to experience a severe shortage of cash, especially in the north, where people were exporting coins to Germany to be melted. In spite of strict measures against hoarding and melting coins, it is estimated that around 100 tonnes of silver in 1/2, 1 and 2 franc coins were melted. The crisis alleviated in 1968, when the Swiss mint started to mint coins in a copper-nickel alloy at full capacity, around 1.5 million coins per day. The coins were released on 10 May 1968 and the old silver coins were withdrawn on 1 April 1971.

Nevertheless, the mint in Bern did not have enough capacity to timely substitute around half a billion silver coins in circulation with new copper-nickel pieces. Therefore, the Royal Mint in London was contracted to supplement production in 1968-1970. The 1 franc coins were the most needed and therefore, the first to be produced from 20 June to 10 July 1968. Around 500 000 early coins produced in London were rejected by the Swiss, who were dissatisfied with the dull grey colour and the quality of the milled edge. Four Swiss experts were sent to London to ensure quality control.

Coins from 1968 without mintmark were minted in London, and they can be easily distinguished by the coins minted in Bern, which bear the B mintmark. At the time, opportunistic collectors tried to sell the coins with no mintmark as rare mint errors, which was not the case, given that 34 910 000 one franc pieces have been minted in London. In order to address these deceiving practices, the mint in London also adopted the B mintmark in 1969. As a result, it is almost impossible to distinguish between the coins minted in Bern and those minted in London in 1969. 19 910 000 pieces dated 1969 were minted in London, and 17 688 000 in Bern. The coins minted in London have a grey appearance, while those from Bern are more reflective.

Source: Ruedi Kunzmann; 2002. "Die Silbermünzenkrise der Schweiz von 1968 und die Tätigkeit der Royal Mint, London". Schweizer Münzblätter, volume 50-52, page 68-72.

KM# 24 = Schön# 28
KM# 24a.1 = Schön# 28a.1


KM# 24a.2 = Schön# 28a.2
KM# 24a.3 = Schön# 58

Two main groups are known in issue with 23 stars on obverse.
Obverse

Die 1 - 23 small stars, HELVETIA with small serifs, A to HELVETIA narrow.
Die 2 - 23 large stars, HELVETIA with big serifs, A to HELVETIA wide.
Picture: © Images courtesy of Alexandr Prokofyev.


Reverse
Die A from model of 1850 - at the top of the wreath an oak leaf without cutout. In use from 1850 till 1982.
Die B - reengraved, at the top of the smaller wreath an oak leaf with cutout, midribs made by wide well defined lines.
Picture: © Images courtesy of Alexandr Prokofyev.


Combinations
1+B: 1983-1999.
2+B: 2000-2018.

See also

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Date Mintage G VG F VF XF AU UNC Frequency
1968  15 000 000 $ 0.89 $ 0.89 $ 0.89 $ 1.10 $ 1.10 $ 1.10 16% KM#24a.1 (with 22 stars; coin alignment)
1968 B 40 864 000 $ 0.43 $ 0.43 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.10 $ 1.10 $ 2.20 24% KM#24a.1 (with 22 stars; coin alignment)
1969 B 37 598 000 $ 0.88 $ 0.88 $ 1.10 $ 1.10 $ 1.10 $ 1.10 $ 1.60 26% KM#24a.1 (with 22 stars; coin alignment)
1970  24 240 000 $ 0.96 $ 0.96 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.10 $ 2.00 $ 2.60 19% KM#24a.1 (with 22 stars; coin alignment)
1971  11 496 000 $ 1.10 $ 1.10 $ 1.10 $ 1.30 $ 1.80 10% KM#24a.1 (with 22 stars; coin alignment)
1973  5 000 000 $ 1.20 $ 1.20 5% KM#24a.1 (with 22 stars; coin alignment)
1974  15 010 000 $ 0.62 $ 0.94 $ 0.94 $ 1.10 $ 1.10 $ 1.30 $ 2.60 13% KM#24a.1 (with 22 stars; coin alignment)
1974  2 400 0.3% KM#24a.1 (with 22 stars; coin alignment) Proof
1975  13 002 000 $ 0.43 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.10 $ 1.60 10% KM#24a.1 (with 22 stars; coin alignment)
1975  10 000 0.3% KM#24a.1 (with 22 stars; coin alignment) Proof
1976  5 004 000 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 5% KM#24a.1 (with 22 stars; coin alignment)
1976  5 130 0.18% KM#24a.1 (with 22 stars; coin alignment) Proof
1977  6 012 000 $ 1.10 $ 1.60 6% KM#24a.1 (with 22 stars; coin alignment)
1977  7 030 0.14% KM#24a.1 (with 22 stars; coin alignment) Proof
1978  13 538 000 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.10 $ 1.80 10% KM#24a.1 (with 22 stars; coin alignment)
1978  10 000 0.19% KM#24a.1 (with 22 stars; coin alignment) Proof
1979  10 800 000 $ 0.11 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.20 $ 1.20 9% KM#24a.1 (with 22 stars; coin alignment)
1979  10 000 0.17% KM#24a.1 (with 22 stars; coin alignment) Proof
1980  11 002 000 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.10 $ 1.10 $ 1.30 9% KM#24a.1 (with 22 stars; coin alignment)
1980  10 000 0.3% KM#24a.1 (with 22 stars; coin alignment) Proof
1981  18 013 000 $ 1.10 $ 1.10 $ 1.10 $ 1.10 $ 1.10 $ 1.40 12% KM#24a.1 (with 22 stars; coin alignment)
1981  10 000 0.3% KM#24a.1 (with 22 stars; coin alignment) Proof
1982  15 049 000 $ 0.86 $ 1.00 $ 1.10 $ 1.10 11% KM#24a.2 (with 22 stars; medal alignment)
1982  10 000 0.3% KM#24a.2 (with 22 stars; medal alignment) Proof
1983  7 029 000 $ 1.10 $ 1.10 $ 1.10 $ 1.10 5% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment)
1983  11 000 0.19% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment) Proof
1984  3 042 500 $ 1.10 $ 1.10 3% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment)
1984  14 000 0.11% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment) Proof
1985  20 054 000 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.10 $ 1.20 $ 2.60 12% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment)
1985  12 000 0.3% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment) Proof
1986 B 17 997 000 $ 0.08 $ 0.66 $ 1.10 $ 1.10 $ 1.10 $ 1.40 11% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment)
1986 B 10 000 0.3% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment) Proof
1987 B 17 028 000 $ 0.98 $ 1.10 $ 1.10 10% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment)
1987 B 8 800 0.2% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment) Proof
1988 B 18 029 000 $ 0.33 $ 1.10 $ 1.10 $ 1.10 $ 1.30 11% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment)
1988 B 9 000 0.2% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment) Proof
1989 B 15 031 000 $ 0.43 $ 1.10 $ 1.10 $ 1.10 $ 1.10 $ 1.10 9% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment)
1989 B 8 800 0.3% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment) Proof
1990 B 2 032 000 $ 1.10 $ 1.60 2% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment)
1990 B 8 900 0.19% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment) Proof
1991 B 9 036 000 $ 1.00 $ 1.10 $ 1.10 $ 1.10 6% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment)
1991 B 9 900 0.15% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment) Proof
1992 B 12 028 000 $ 1.10 $ 1.10 $ 1.10 7% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment)
1992 B 7 450 0.2% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment) Proof
1993 B 12 023 000 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 7% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment)
1993 B 6 200 0.12% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment) Proof
1994 B 10 023 000 $ 1.10 $ 1.30 6% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment)
1994 B 6 100 0.16% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment) Proof
1995 B 13 024 000 $ 1.10 $ 1.10 $ 1.10 7% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment)
1995 B 6 100 0.19% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment) Proof
1996 B 3 023 000 $ 1.10 2% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment)
1996 B 6 100 0.11% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment) Proof
1997 B 3 022 000 $ 1.10 2% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment)
1997 B 5 500 0.10% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment) Proof
1998 B 3 021 000 $ 1.10 $ 1.20 3% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment)
1998 B 4 800 0.09% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment) Proof
1999 B 3 021 000 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 2% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment)
1999 B 5 000 0.07% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment) Proof
2000 B 4 026 000 $ 1.10 $ 1.30 3% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment)
2000 B 5 500 0.13% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment) Proof
2001 B 3 028 000 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 2% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment)
2001 B 6 000 0.10% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment) Proof
2002 B 1 030 000 $ 2.70 1.2% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment)
2002 B 6 000 0.11% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment) Proof
2003 B 2 027 500 $ 1.10 1.7% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment)
2003 B 5 500 0.13% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment) Proof
2004 B 2 027 000 $ 1.70 $ 1.70 $ 2.60 $ 4.90 1.7% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment)
2004 B 5 000 0.09% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment) Proof
2005 B 1 028 500 $ 1.50 1.1% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment)
2005 B 4 500 0.07% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment) Proof
2006 B 2 028 500 $ 1.10 $ 1.60 1.8% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment)
2006 B 4 000 0.07% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment) Proof
2007 B 3 000 000 $ 1.10 $ 1.10 2% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment)
2007 B 4 000 0.13% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment) Proof
2008 B 7 000 000 $ 1.10 $ 1.70 4% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment)
2008 B 4 000 0.09% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment) Proof
2009 B 11 000 000 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 5% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment)
2009 B 4 000 0.12% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment) Proof
2010 B 15 000 000 $ 1.10 $ 1.10 $ 1.10 $ 1.10 6% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment)
2010 B 4 000 0.15% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment) Proof
2011 B 15 000 000 $ 1.00 $ 1.10 $ 1.10 5% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment)
2011 B 4 000 0.11% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment) Proof
2012 B 15 000 000 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.10 4% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment)
2012 B 4 000 0.14% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment) Proof
2013 B 15 000 000 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.40 $ 2.20 4% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment)
2013 B 3 500 0.10% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment) Proof
2014 B 15 000 000 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 3% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment)
2014 B 3 000 0.16% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment) Proof
2015 B 10 026 000 $ 1.10 $ 1.10 $ 1.10 2% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment)
2015 B 3 000 0.12% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment) Proof
2016 B 10 028 000 $ 1.10 $ 1.50 $ 2.30 1.9% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment)
2016 B 3 000 0.11% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment) Proof
2017 B 10 029 500 $ 1.10 $ 1.10 $ 1.30 $ 1.70 1.6% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment)
2017 B 2 500 0.11% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment) Proof
2018 B 7 027 000 $ 1.00 $ 1.40 $ 2.00 0.9% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment)
2018 B 2 500 0.20% KM#24a.3 (with 23 stars; medal alignment) Proof
2019 B 9 019 500 $ 1.10 $ 2.20 0.9%
2019 B 2 500 $ 4.50 0.17% Proof
2020 B 8 017 500 0.4%
2020 B 2 500 0.07% Proof
2021 B 5 018 500 0.16%
2021 B 2 500 0.07% Proof
2022 B 1 011 000 0.10%
2022 B 2 000 0.05% Proof
2023 B 1 020 750 0.13%
2023 B 2 000 0.05% Proof
2024 B 0.07%
2024 B 0.04% Proof

Values in the table above are expressed in USD. They are based on evaluations by Numista users and sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only; they are not intended to be relied upon for buying, selling or exchanging. Numista does not buy or sell coins or banknotes.

Frequencies show the percentage of Numista users who own each year or variety among all the users who own this coin. Since some users own several versions, the sum may be greater than 100%.

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