Switzerland 1944-B 1/2 franc
This specimen was lot 74691 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2023), where it sold for $264. The catalog description[1] noted, "SWITZERLAND. 1/2 Franc, 1944B. Bern Mint. NGC SPECIMEN-68. With the stoic form of Helvetia, this Superb Gem is well made and it shows with crisp details." 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. Many of the dates from the twentieth century are very common and this one is no exception. Prior to confederation in 1850, each Swiss canton issued its own coins.
Recorded mintage: 7,455,000 plus specimens.
Specification: 2.5 g, 0.835 fine silver, .067 troy oz ASW, 18.1 mm diameter, reeded edge.
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]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, November 2023 World Collectors Choice Online Auction - Ancient & World Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
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