Switzerland 1894-B 5 francs
This specimen was lot 30669 in Heritage sale 3040 (Chicago, April 2015), where it sold for $4,465. The catalog description[1] noted, "Confederation 5 Francs 1894-B MS64 NGC, Bern mint. A highly desirable jewel, with glistening-silvery tone and glimpses of champagne-luster dripping from the devices. Asserting an extremely low mintage of only 34,000 pieces, this is one of the scarcest dates in the series which is further confirmed by the list price of $9,500 for a BU designation in the SCWC." This type was struck 1888-1916. It was superseded in 1922 by a five francs bearing a portrait of hero William Tell. 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.
Recorded mintage: 34,000 plus a few specimens.
Specification: 25 g, 0.900 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM 34, Dav-392.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- 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.
- 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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