Switzerland 1941-B 5 rappen
This specimen was lot 5316 in Sincona sale 83 (Zürich, May 2023), where it sold for 75 CHF (about US$100 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted, "SWITZERLAND, 5 Rappen 1941 B, Bern. Sehr selten in dieser Erhaltung. NGC MS65+. Prachtexemplar (Very rare in this condition, Cabinet piece)." This type was struck in copper-nickel 1879-1980 without change. For 1932-41, it was struck in pure nickel, which was not practical during World War Two, when Swiss supplies of nickel were made into weapons to be sold to the Nazis. This is not a rare date but later dates from after World War Two are available for a dollar or two in any grade. The nickel issues were demonetized in 2004; being magnetic, they were rejected by coin counting machinery.
Recorded mintage: 3,087,000, a slightly better date.
Specification: 2 g, nickel, 17.15 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM 26b, Divo 472, HMZ 2-1212fff.
- 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, SINCONA Auction 83, World and Swiss Coins and Medals, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2023.
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