Switzerland 1955-B 1/2 franc
This specimen was lot 72792 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Santa Ana, CA, October 2020), where it sold for $192. The catalog description[1] noted, "SWITZERLAND. 1/2 Franc, 1955-B. Bern Mint. PCGS SPECIMEN-68 Gold Shield. An incredibly dazzling and blazing example, this superb Gem minor enchants the eye with an argent appeal and brilliant luster. Just five other have been graded at this lofty level atop the PCGS population report." 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: 1,320,000.
Specification: 2.5 g, 0.835 fine silver, 18.2 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-23.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Divo, Jean-Paul, and Edwin Tobler, Die Münzen der Schweiz, im 19. und 20. Jahrhundert, Zürich: Bank Leu & Co AG, 1969.
- 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, Richard Ponterio and Kyle Ponterio, The October 2020 Collector's Choice sale: World and Ancient Coins, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2020.
Links to: