Switzerland 1859 5 francs
This specimen was lot 30677 in Heritage sale 3040 (Chicago, April 2015), where it sold for $1,410. The catalog description[1] noted, "Confederation Shooting Taler of 5 Francs 1859 Zurich MS65 NGC. Struck to commemorate the Shooting Festival in Zurich with ultra-silky surfaces that are sheathed in a sublime shade of argent-gray with glistening amber highlights encircling the obverse peripheries. Replete with full-bodied cartwheel luster that emanates from beneath the tone. An absolutely superb jewel with tremendous appeal, worthy of much attention. From The Law Collection." Confederation coinage commenced in 1850; prior to that, each canton struck its own coinage. In 1931, the five francs was reduced to 15 grams, 0.835 fine, and struck in that form until 1969. This coin issued for the shooting festival in Zurich is on the border between medal and coin and has been in and out of the SCWC.
Recorded mintage: 6,000 plus a few specimens.
Specification: 25 g, 0.900 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM-XS5, Dav-379.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns and Talers, Since 1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964.
- 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.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Warren Tucker and David Michaels, Heritage Signature Auction 3040, featuring the Santa Maria, the Alan Dean and the Valley View Life Collections, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2015.
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