Issuer |
Switzerland
![]() |
---|---|
Period |
Federal State (1848-date)
|
Type | Standard circulation coin |
Years | 1968-2023 |
Value | 2 Francs 2 CHF = USD 2.21 |
Currency | Franc (1850-date) |
Composition | Copper-nickel (75% copper, 25% nickel) |
Weight | 8.80 g |
Diameter | 27.40 mm |
Thickness | 2.15 mm |
Shape | Round |
Technique | Milled |
Number | N# 189 |
References |
HMZ 2# 1202, ![]() ![]() ![]() And 5 more volumes. ![]() And 2 more volumes. ![]() And 2 more volumes. |
Series: Helvetia standing series
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.
Wreath formed of oak and alpine rose branches tied with a ribbon below.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
2 Fr.
1968
B
Designer: Friedrich Fisch
Reeded
© Renato Lima
Bern, Switzerland (1225-date) | |
Royal Mint (Tower Hill), London, United Kingdom (1810-1975) | |
B | Bern, Switzerland (1225-date) |
Switch from silver to copper-nickel
This copper-nickel 2 franc coin replaced the silver pieces minted between 1874-1967. 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 silver 2 franc pieces was circa 2.92 francs, exceeding their face value. Switzerland started to experience a severe shortage of cash, especially in the north, where coins were exported to Germany to be melted. In spite of strict measures against hoarding and melting coins, around 100 tonnes of silver in 1⁄2, 1, and 2 franc coins were melted. The crisis alleviated in 1968, when coins in copper-nickel started to be minted in double shifts in Bern, around 1.5 million per day. The coins were released on 10 May 1968 and the old silver coins were withdrawn on 1 April 1971.
Mints
The mint in Bern did not have enough capacity to timely substitute around half a billion silver coins in circulation in 1968 with new copper-nickel pieces. Therefore, the Royal Mint in London was contracted to supplement production in 1968-1970. The 2 franc coins dated 1968 were produced between 11-17 July. 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.
Mintmarks
Coins dated 1968 without mintmark were minted in London, and they can be easily distinguished from 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 10 000 000 two franc pieces had already been minted in London. In order to address these deceiving practices, the mint in Bern dropped the B mintmark after 1970 and until 1985.
Alignment
Coins dated 1968-1981 have coin alignment.
Coins dated after 1982 have medal alignment.
Helvetia
Helvetia (after the neo-Latin name of Switzerland) is an allegorical female figure symbolizing the Swiss Confederation. Helvetia is a derivation of the ethnonym Helvetii, the name of the Gaulish tribe inhabiting the Swiss Plateau before the Roman conquest. The first documented use of the allegory dates from 1642, in Matthäus Merian's "Topographia", after which it gradually replaced the earlier convention of representing Switzerland as a bull.
Sources
Georg Kreis; 1991. "Helvetia - through the ages. The story of a national figurehead". Verlag Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Zürich. ISBN 3858233161.
Ruedi Kunzmann; 2002. "Die Silbermünzenkrise der Schweiz von 1968 und die Tätigkeit der Royal Mint, London". Schweizer Münzblätter, volume 50-52, page 68-72.
There are three groups of type with 23 stars on Obv.
Obverse
Die 1 - 23 small stars, fine script to A.BOVY INCT., top of spear points between beads.
Die 2 - 23 large stars, small bold script to A.BOVY INCT., top of spear points between beads.
Die 3 - 23 large stars, reengraved, beads far from rim, large bold script to A.BOVY INCT., top of spear points to bead.
Picture: © Images courtesy of Alexandr Prokofyev.
Reverse
Die A from model of 1860 - large wreath, bold script to "2 Fr." In use from 1860 till 1975.
Die B - large wreath, fine script to "2 Fr.", midribs made by shallow lines. In use in 1976-1980.
Die C - large wreath, fine script to "2 Fr.", midribs made by fine lines. In use in 1981, 1982.
Die D - reengraved, small wreath, midribs made by wide well defined lines.
Die E - reengraved, beads far from rim.
Picture: © Images courtesy of Alexandr Prokofyev.
Combinations
1+D: 1983-1998, 2000 Mint Set.
2+D: 1998-2018.
3+E: 2020-2022.
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Date | Mintage | G | VG | F | VF | XF | AU | UNC | Frequency | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Undetermined | |||||||||||||
1968 | 10 000 000 | $ 1.90 | $ 2.00 | $ 2.00 | $ 2.00 | 19% | KM#21a.1; 22 stars; coin alignment | ||||||
1968 B | 31 588 000 | $ 1.60 | $ 1.80 | $ 1.80 | $ 1.90 | $ 1.90 | $ 2.20 | 23% | KM#21a.1; 22 stars; coin alignment | ||||
1969 B | 17 296 000 | $ 0.13 | $ 0.76 | $ 1.70 | $ 2.00 | $ 2.10 | $ 2.40 | $ 2.40 | 19% | KM#21a.1; 22 stars; coin alignment | |||
1970 | 10 350 000 | $ 2.00 | $ 2.00 | $ 2.00 | $ 2.00 | 13% | KM#21a.1; 22 stars; coin alignment | ||||||
1972 | 5 003 000 | $ 2.00 | $ 2.00 | 7% | KM#21a.1; 22 stars; coin alignment | ||||||||
1973 | 5 996 000 | $ 2.10 | $ 2.10 | $ 2.10 | $ 2.50 | $ 6.40 | 8% | KM#21a.1; 22 stars; coin alignment | |||||
1974 | 15 007 000 | $ 0.20 | $ 1.90 | $ 2.00 | $ 2.20 | $ 2.30 | $ 2.60 | 15% | KM#21a.1; 22 stars; coin alignment | ||||
1974 | 2 400 | 0.3% | KM#21a.1; 22 stars; coin alignment; proof | ||||||||||
1975 | 7 051 000 | $ 2.10 | $ 2.10 | $ 2.40 | $ 2.80 | 9% | KM#21a.1; 22 stars; coin alignment | ||||||
1975 | 10 000 | 0.3% | KM#21a.1; 22 stars; coin alignment; proof | ||||||||||
1976 | 5 006 000 | $ 2.00 | $ 2.00 | 6% | KM#21a.1; 22 stars; coin alignment | ||||||||
1976 | 5 130 | 0.17% | KM#21a.1; 22 stars; coin alignment; proof | ||||||||||
1977 | 2 003 000 | $ 2.10 | $ 3.20 | 3% | KM#21a.1; 22 stars; coin alignment | ||||||||
1977 | 7 030 | 0.14% | KM#21a.1; 22 stars; coin alignment; proof | ||||||||||
1978 | 12 802 000 | $ 1.10 | $ 1.90 | $ 2.10 | $ 2.40 | 12% | KM#21a.1; 22 stars; coin alignment | ||||||
1978 | 10 000 | 0.2% | KM#21a.1; 22 stars; coin alignment; proof | ||||||||||
1979 | 10 985 000 | $ 1.90 | $ 2.00 | $ 2.00 | $ 2.10 | $ 2.10 | $ 2.60 | $ 5.30 | 11% | KM#21a.1; 22 stars; coin alignment | |||
1979 | 10 000 | 0.2% | KM#21a.1; 22 stars; coin alignment; proof | ||||||||||
1980 | 10 001 000 | $ 0.58 | $ 2.20 | $ 2.20 | $ 2.20 | $ 2.30 | $ 2.50 | 10% | KM#21a.1; 22 stars; coin alignment | ||||
1980 | 10 000 | 0.3% | KM#21a.1; 22 stars; coin alignment; proof | ||||||||||
1981 | 13 852 000 | $ 1.90 | $ 2.00 | $ 2.00 | $ 2.20 | $ 3.00 | 12% | KM#21a.1; 22 stars; coin alignment | |||||
1981 | 10 000 | 0.3% | KM#21a.1; 22 stars; coin alignment; proof | ||||||||||
1982 | 5 912 000 | $ 1.90 | $ 2.10 | $ 2.60 | 7% | KM#21a.2; 22 stars; medal alignment | |||||||
1982 | 10 000 | 0.3% | KM#21a.2; 22 stars; medal alignment; proof | ||||||||||
1983 | 3 034 000 | $ 1.70 | $ 2.00 | $ 2.30 | $ 3.20 | 4% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment | ||||||
1983 | 11 000 | 0.18% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment; proof | ||||||||||
1984 | 2 043 000 | $ 2.10 | $ 2.70 | $ 4.90 | 3% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment | |||||||
1984 | 14 000 | 0.18% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment; proof | ||||||||||
1985 | 2 034 000 | $ 1.90 | $ 2.10 | 4% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment | ||||||||
1985 | 12 000 | $ 4.30 | 0.18% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment; proof | |||||||||
1986 B | 3 032 000 | $ 2.20 | $ 2.50 | $ 3.70 | $ 5.80 | 4% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment | ||||||
1986 B | 10 000 | 0.2% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment; proof | ||||||||||
1987 B | 8 028 000 | $ 2.10 | $ 2.10 | 7% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment | ||||||||
1987 B | 8 800 | 0.18% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment; proof | ||||||||||
1988 B | 10 029 000 | $ 2.30 | $ 2.30 | $ 3.10 | 8% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment | |||||||
1988 B | 9 000 | 0.2% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment; proof | ||||||||||
1989 B | 8 031 000 | $ 2.00 | $ 2.10 | $ 2.10 | 7% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment | |||||||
1989 B | 8 800 | 0.2% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment; proof | ||||||||||
1990 B | 5 045 000 | $ 2.00 | $ 2.10 | 5% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment | ||||||||
1990 B | 8 900 | 0.2% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment; proof | ||||||||||
1991 B | 12 036 000 | $ 1.90 | $ 1.90 | $ 1.90 | $ 1.90 | $ 1.90 | 9% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment | |||||
1991 B | 9 900 | 0.19% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment; proof | ||||||||||
1992 B | 10 028 000 | $ 1.90 | $ 2.00 | $ 2.00 | $ 2.30 | $ 3.60 | 7% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment | |||||
1992 B | 7 450 | 0.2% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment; proof | ||||||||||
1993 B | 13 050 000 | $ 1.10 | $ 1.90 | $ 2.10 | $ 2.10 | $ 2.10 | $ 2.30 | $ 3.00 | 9% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment | |||
1993 B | 6 200 | 0.17% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment; proof | ||||||||||
1994 B | 16 023 000 | $ 2.10 | $ 2.10 | $ 2.10 | $ 2.10 | $ 2.10 | 10% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment | |||||
1994 B | 6 100 | 0.2% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment; proof | ||||||||||
1995 B | 7 024 000 | $ 2.10 | $ 2.10 | $ 2.10 | $ 2.60 | $ 5.00 | 6% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment | |||||
1995 B | 6 100 | 0.19% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment; proof | ||||||||||
1996 B | 5 023 000 | $ 2.00 | $ 2.00 | 4% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment | ||||||||
1996 B | 6 100 | 0.16% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment; proof | ||||||||||
1997 B | 5 022 000 | $ 2.10 | $ 2.10 | $ 2.10 | 4% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment | |||||||
1997 B | 5 500 | 0.13% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment; proof | ||||||||||
1998 B | 4 021 000 | $ 2.10 | $ 2.60 | 4% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment | ||||||||
1998 B | 4 800 | 0.14% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment; proof | ||||||||||
1999 B | 3 021 000 | $ 1.90 | $ 2.10 | 3% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment | ||||||||
1999 B | 5 000 | 0.09% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment; proof | ||||||||||
2000 B | 3 026 000 | $ 2.10 | $ 2.10 | 3% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment | ||||||||
2000 B | 5 500 | 0.09% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment; proof | ||||||||||
2001 B | 4 028 000 | $ 1.90 | $ 2.00 | $ 2.30 | $ 3.20 | 4% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment | ||||||
2001 B | 6 000 | 0.15% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment; proof | ||||||||||
2002 B | 1 030 000 | 1.4% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment | ||||||||||
2002 B | 6 000 | 0.14% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment; proof | ||||||||||
2003 B | 1 027 500 | $ 2.00 | $ 2.70 | 1.4% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment | ||||||||
2003 B | 5 500 | 0.15% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment; proof | ||||||||||
2004 B | 1 027 000 | $ 2.70 | 1.4% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment | |||||||||
2004 B | 5 000 | 0.09% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment; proof | ||||||||||
2005 B | 2 028 500 | $ 2.00 | $ 2.10 | 2% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment | ||||||||
2005 B | 4 500 | 0.10% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment; proof | ||||||||||
2006 B | 7 028 500 | $ 2.00 | $ 2.10 | 4% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment | ||||||||
2006 B | 4 000 | 0.09% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment; proof | ||||||||||
2007 B | 16 000 000 | $ 2.10 | $ 2.10 | $ 2.10 | $ 3.70 | 7% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment | ||||||
2007 B | 4 000 | 0.18% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment; proof | ||||||||||
2008 B | 6 000 000 | $ 2.10 | $ 2.60 | 4% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment | ||||||||
2008 B | 4 000 | 0.13% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment; proof | ||||||||||
2009 B | 8 000 000 | $ 2.30 | $ 2.70 | $ 3.70 | 4% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment | |||||||
2009 B | 4 000 | 0.15% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment; proof | ||||||||||
2010 B | 9 000 000 | $ 2.10 | $ 2.10 | $ 2.50 | $ 3.70 | 4% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment | ||||||
2010 B | 4 000 | 0.17% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment; proof | ||||||||||
2011 B | 7 000 000 | $ 1.80 | $ 2.10 | $ 2.60 | $ 3.20 | 4% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment | ||||||
2011 B | 4 000 | 0.15% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment; proof | ||||||||||
2012 B | 7 000 000 | $ 2.10 | $ 2.10 | $ 2.40 | $ 3.20 | 4% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment | ||||||
2012 B | 4 000 | 0.15% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment; proof | ||||||||||
2013 B | 7 000 000 | $ 1.90 | $ 2.10 | 5% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment | ||||||||
2013 B | 3 500 | 0.11% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment; proof | ||||||||||
2014 B | 7 000 000 | $ 1.70 | $ 2.00 | $ 2.10 | $ 2.10 | $ 2.90 | $ 3.20 | 4% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment | ||||
2014 B | 3 000 | 0.17% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment; proof | ||||||||||
2015 B | 11 026 000 | $ 2.00 | $ 2.90 | 2% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment | ||||||||
2015 B | 3 000 | 0.17% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment; proof | ||||||||||
2016 B | 8 028 000 | $ 2.00 | $ 2.90 | 1.7% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment | ||||||||
2016 B | 3 000 | 0.12% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment; proof | ||||||||||
2017 B | 7 029 500 | $ 2.10 | $ 2.40 | $ 2.90 | 1.2% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment | |||||||
2017 B | 2 500 | $ 9.10 | 0.11% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment; proof | |||||||||
2018 B | 5 027 000 | $ 3.20 | $ 3.50 | $ 3.90 | 0.8% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment | |||||||
2018 B | 2 500 | 0.16% | KM#21a.3; 23 stars; medal alignment; proof | ||||||||||
2019 B | 5 019 500 | $ 2.10 | 0.6% | 23 stars; medal alignment | |||||||||
2019 B | 2 500 | $ 4.80 | 0.17% | 23 stars; medal alignment; proof | |||||||||
2020 B | 5 017 500 | $ 2.20 | 0.4% | 23 stars; medal alignment | |||||||||
2020 B | 2 500 | 0.06% | 23 stars; medal alignment; proof | ||||||||||
2021 B | 3 018 500 | 0.17% | 23 stars; medal alignment | ||||||||||
2021 B | 2 500 | 0.07% | 23 stars; medal alignment; proof | ||||||||||
2022 B | 1 011 000 | 0.10% | |||||||||||
2022 B | 2 000 | 0.06% | Proof | ||||||||||
2023 B | 1 020 750 | 0.11% | |||||||||||
2023 B | 2 000 | 0.06% | 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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