Switzerland 1896-B 2 francs

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Sincona sale 25, lot 2092
Sincona sale 81, lot 6248

The first specimen was lot 2092 in Sincona sale 25 (Zürich, October 2015), where it sold for 44,000 CHF (about US$54,350 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,

"2 Francs 1896. Laureate, draped standing figure of Helvetia, l. hand resting on Swiss shield of arms, lance in r. hand. 22 stars in circle. On l. below the name of the die cutter A. BOVY as well as r. INCT. Rev. Value and date in a wreath of oak- and alpine rose branches. Below the mint letter B for Bern. Of greatest rarity. Only 20 specimens minted. Almost uncirculated/uncirculated in Proof. Splendid conservation."

The second specimen was lot 6248 in Sincona sale 81 (Zürich, October 2022), where it sold for 50,000 CHF (about US$59,925 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[2] noted, "SWITZERLAND | Confederation, 2 Franken 1896 B, Bern. Of the highest rarity. Only 20 pieces struck. Choice Proof. Partially lacquered, otherwise cabinet piece." This type was struck at the Bern mint starting in 1874 and the design is still in use today tho the coin is now nickel. This specimen is struck to the standard of the French two francs of 1866-1920. Many of the dates from the twentieth century are very common but this one is rare. Confederation coinage commenced in 1850; prior to that, each canton struck its own coinage.

Recorded mintage: 20, all specimens. This is the key date.

Specification: 10 g, 0.900 fine silver, lettered edge; the first specimen 10.00 g, the second specimen 9.98 g.

Catalog reference: Divo 150, HMZ 2-1202g, KM 21.

Source:

  • 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]Richter, Jürg, Ruedi Kunzmann and Arne Kirsch, Numismatic Rarities, Auction 25, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2015.
  • Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
  • [2]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 81, the Max Walty-Hussy Collection: Coins and Medals, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2022.

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