Switzerland 1904-B 5 francs

Heritage sale 3049, lot 31636

This specimen was lot 31636 in Heritage sale 3049 (Long Beach, September 2016), where it sold for $2,232.50. The catalog description^[1] noted, "Confederation 5 Francs 1904-B MS63 PCGS, Bern mint. Mottled russet toning, with a very sharp strike. The surfaces exhibit a few light contact marks that define the grade. A rare issue in Mint State. From the Redwood Collection, Part II." This specimen was struck at the Bern mint for the Confederation of Switzerland in 1904. It is a rare date of its type (struck 1888-1916, nearly the same span as the Barber half dollar, which it strongly resembles) yet is still expensive in nice condition. It was superseded in 1922 by a five francs bearing a portrait of hero William Tell. Confederation coinage commenced in 1850; prior to that, each canton struck its own coinage. In 1931, the five francs was reduced to 15 grams, .835 fine, and struck in that form until 1969.

Recorded mintage: 40,000 plus specimens.

Specification: 25 g, .900 fine silver, .723 troy oz ASW.

Catalog reference: KM 34, HMZ-21198j, Dav-392.

Source:

• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
• Richter, Juerg, 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]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and David Michaels, Heritage World Coin Auction 3049, featuring the Ohio Valley Collection, the Redwood Collection and the F.P. Briand Collection, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2016.

Link to:

• 1890 5 francs
• 1904 ½ franc
• 1904 2 francs
• 1907 5 francs
• Coins and currency dated 1904
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