Liechtenstein 1930 10 franken
This specimen was lot 1442 in Jean Elsen sale 121 (Brussels, June 2014), where it sold for €410 (about US$657 including buyers' fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"LIECHTENSTEIN, Franz Ier (1929-1938), AV 10 Franken, 1930, Superbe à Fleur de Coin. (principality of Liechtenstein, Francis I (1929-38), gold ten franken of 1930, extremely fine to uncirculated.)"
Liechtenstein, a tiny country sandwiched between Switzerland and Austria, has been ruled for generations by a Austrian family that did not even visit its domain until after World War One. The collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the loss of that family's estates in the crash forced the prince, Johan II, to focus on his tiny domain. Since then, Liechtenstein has been aligned with Switzerland. In 1924, the krone was dropped in favor of the frank, modelled on the Swiss franc. This ten franken piece was accompanied by a gold twenty franken. Coinage for Liechtenstein since then has been sporadic and generally limited to commemoratives; the natives use Swiss money for everyday transactions.
Recorded mintage: 2,500.
Specification: 3.22 g, 0.900 fine gold, .093 troy oz AGW.
Catalog reference: KM Y11, Fr-16.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Craig, William D., Germanic Coinages: Charlemagne through Wilhelm II, Mountain View, CA: 1954.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 121, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2014.
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