Switzerland 1901-B 2 francs
This specimen was lot 40801 in Ponterio sale 168 (Philadelphia, August 2012), where it sold for $11,750. The catalog description[1] noted, "SWITZERLAND. 2 Franc, 1901-B. NGC MS-64. Gem RARE Date 2 Franc VERY RARE date in this superb state of presentation. Light smokey gray toning, sharply struck." 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: 50,000.
Specification: 10 g, 0.835 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM-21.
- 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, 1901-2000, 47th 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]Ponterio, Richard, Ponterio sale 168: The Official ANA Auction, Irvine, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2012.
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