Switzerland 1920-B 20 rappen
This specimen was lot 1765 in Sincona Auction 103 (Zürich, May 2026), where it sold for 170 CHF (about US$259 including buyers' fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SCHWEIZ Eidgenossenschaft, Fehlprägungen. 20 Rappen 1920 B, Bern. 3.43 g. Auf eine untergewichtige Rondelle geprägt (3.43 statt 4.0 g). Richter (Fehlprägungen) -. Äusserst selten. Gutes sehr schön. (Switzerland, error coins, twenty rappen of 1920, Bern mint, struck on an underweight planchet (3.43 instead of 4 g). Extremely rare, Good Very Fine.)"
This type was struck 1881-1938 with no change in design. In 1939, the coin was converted to copper-nickel and is still in production in that form. This coin would be worthless were it not for the error. It is evident that it circulated extensively before the error was detected.
Recorded mintage: 3,100,000.
Specification: 4 g, nickel, 21.05 mm diameter, plain edge.
Catalog reference: KM 29.
- 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]Richter, Jürg, Michael Hardmeier, Michael Otto, Arne Kirsch, Ruedi Kunzmann and Timur Demirai, SINCONA Auction 103: World and Swiss coins and medals, Zurich: SINCONA AG, 2026.
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