Switzerland 1896-B 5 francs
This specimen was lot 2091 in Sincona sale 25 (Zürich, October 2015), where it sold for 35,000 CHF (about US$43,233 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"5 Francs 1896. Head of Helvetia with diadem of alpine roses to l. Rev. Divided value with Swiss arms. The whole in a wreath of an oak- and laurel. Edge lettering: DOMINUS***/PROVIDEBIT/ **********. Of great rarity. Good very fine-extremely fine. The 5 Francs 1896 counts among the great rarities of Swiss federal coinage. Although the professional literature claims an emission of 2'000 specimens, only 10-20 pieces are known today. Inasmuch, the figures for the emission must be wrong."
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 It was superseded in 1922 by a five francs bearing a portrait of hero William Tell.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: 2,000 plus a few specimens.
Specification: 25 g, 0.900 fine silver, lettered edge; this specimen 24.94 g.
Catalog reference: Divo 149, HMZ 2-1198h, KM 34, Dav-392.
- 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]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.
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