Switzerland 1857-B franc
This specimen was lot 5581 in Sincona sale 35 (Zürich, October 2016), where it sold for 32,000 CHF (about US$37,986 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"Confederation, 1 Franken 1857. Äusserst selten. Nur 526 Exemplare geprägt. Kabinettstück. Erstabschlag. FDC. (Swiss confederation, one franc of 1857. Extremely rare. Only 526 pieces struck, Cabinet piece. Choice prooflike uncirculated.)"
This type was struck 1850 and 1857 only. A similar type (KM 9a, 0.800 fine) was issued 1860-63. It was superseded in 1874 by the familiar standing Helvetia type. All are expensive in nice condition but this is the key date.
Recorded mintage: 526.
Specification: 5 g, 0.900 fine silver, this specimen: 4.96 g.
Catalog reference: Divo 24, HMZ 2-1203c, KM 9.
- [1]Jürg Richter, Schweizer Münzen und Medaillen vom Mittelalter bis in die Neuzeit, Auktion 35, Zürich: Sincona AG, 2016.
- Divo, Jean-Paul, and Edwin Tobler, Die Münzen der Schweiz, im 19. und 20. Jahrhundert, Zürich: Bank Leu & Co AG, 1969.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th 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.
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