Switzerland 1945-B 2 francs

Sincona sale 83, lot 5319

This specimen was lot 5319 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, 2 Franken 1945 B, Bern. Äusserst seltene Erhaltung. Erstabschlag. FDC (Extremely rare condition, Specimen strike. Uncirculated)." This type was struck 1874-1967 in this alloy at the Bern mint. The design is still in use today tho the coin is now copper-nickel. This specimen is struck to the standard of the French two francs of 1866-1920. This is not a rare date but later dates from after World War Two are available for their melt value in any grade.

Recorded mintage: 1,134,000 plus specimens, a fairly common date.

Specification: 10 g, 0.835 fine silver, 27.4 mm diameter, reeded edge, this specimen 9.96 g.

Catalog reference: KM 21, Divo 496, HMZ 2-1202ii.

Source:

• 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.

Link to:

• 1944 2 francs
• 1945 20 rappen
• 1945 demi-franc
• 1945 franc
• 1946 2 francs
• Coins and currency dated 1945