Liechtenstein 1961 25 franken
This specimen was lot 1444 in Jean Elsen sale 121 (Brussels, June 2014), where it sold for €200 (about US$320 including buyers' fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"LIECHTENSTEIN, Franz Joseph II (1938-1990), AV 25 Franken, 1961, Superbe à Fleur de Coin. (principality of Liechtenstein, Francis Joseph II (1938-90), gold twenty-five franken of 1961, 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 twenty-five franken piece was issued to honor the centennial of the national bank. Coinage for Liechtenstein has been sporadic and generally limited to commemoratives; the natives use Swiss money for everyday transactions.
Recorded mintage: 20,000.
Specification: 5.64 g, 0.900 fine gold, .163 troy oz AGW.
Catalog reference: Fr-23. KM Y18.
- 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.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 121, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2014.
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