Switzerland 1905-B 1/2 franc
This specimen was lot 30662 in Heritage sale 3040 (Chicago, April 2015), where it sold for $851.88. The catalog description[1] noted, "Confederation Specimen 1/2 Franc 1905-B SP66 PCGS, Bern mint. A superb selection with a considerable amount flash in the fields and delightful tone accented by subtle rainbow highlights. A superb gem in all respects, most alluring as such. From The Law Collection." This type was struck at the Bern mint 1874-1967. The design is still in use today tho the coin is now copper-nickel. This specimen is struck to the standard of the French half franc of 1866-1920. This date is fairly common in circulated condition. Prior to confederation in 1850, each Swiss canton issued its own coins.
Recorded mintage: 600,000 plus a few specimens.
Specification: 2.5 g, 0.835 fine silver, 18.2 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM 23.
- 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]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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