Switzerland 1904-B 5 francs
This specimen was lot 31636 in Heritage sale 3049 (Long Beach, September 2016), where it sold for $2,232.50. The catalog description[1] noted, "Confederation 5 Francs 1904-B MS63 PCGS, Bern mint. Mottled russet toning, with a very sharp strike. The surfaces exhibit a few light contact marks that define the grade. A rare issue in Mint State. From the Redwood Collection, Part II." This specimen was struck at the Bern mint for the Confederation of Switzerland in 1904. It is a rare date of its type (struck 1888-1916, nearly the same span as the Barber half dollar, which it strongly resembles) yet is still expensive in nice condition. It was superseded in 1922 by a five francs bearing a portrait of hero William Tell.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: 40,000 plus specimens.
Specification: 25 g, 0.900 fine silver, .723 troy oz ASW.
Catalog reference: KM 34, HMZ-21198j, 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.
- 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]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and David Michaels, Heritage World Coin Auction 3049, featuring the Ohio Valley Collection, the Redwood Collection and the F.P. Briand Collection, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2016.
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