Liechtenstein 1946-B 10 franken
This specimen was lot 1768 in Sincona sale 59 (Zürich, October 2019), where it sold for 180 CHF (about US$218 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"Liechtenstein, Furstentum, Franz Josef II. 1938-1989. 10 Franken 1946. FDC. (principality of Liechtenstein, Francis Joseph II, 1938-89, ten franken of 1946. 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 issued and circulated specimens probably exist but who would be stupid enough to spend gold coins in post-WW2 Europe? Coinage for Liechtenstein since then has been sporadic and generally limited to commemoratives; the natives use Swiss money for everyday transactions.
Recorded mintage: 10,000.
Specification: 3.23 g, 0.900 fine gold, this specimen 3.21 g.
Catalog reference: Divo 130, HMZ 2-1389. Fr-18, KM Y13.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Richter, Jürg, and Ruedi Kunzmann, Neuer HMZ-Katalog, Band 2: Die Münzen der Schweiz und Liechtensteins 15//16. Jahrhundert bis Gegenwart, Regenstauf, Germany: H. Gietl Verlag GmbH, 2006.
- [1]Richter, Jürg, Sincona Auction 59: Gold and Silver Coins and Medals; Coins and Medals from Switzerland, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2019.
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