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 Replies: 7 / Views: 1,353 |
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Valued Member
United States
196 Posts |
I am heading over to Switzerland in a couple of weeks. Any coins that would be of interest to try to get to put in my box here at home? I am not looking for anything of rarity. I just like coins and wondered what might make a nice souvenir. Any coins with nice designs or interesting history that I should look out for? Thanks for humoring a guy who just likes coins  |
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Valued Member
Italy
78 Posts |
Try to find some silver coins. 1/2, 1, 2 and 5 Francs were made of silver until 1967 (the 5 Francs also in 1969). Old silver versions of those coins were officially demonetized in 1971 but sometimes are found in circulation because they have identical design and size of the new copper-nickel version.
Also look for very old coins: anything older than the 40s is rare to find in pocket change, but not impossible.
Keep in mind that Swiss people usually use much more coins than Americans do. The smallest note is the 10 Francs (about $10).
As for commemorative coins, they arenīt encountered in general circulation. For what I know, Switzerland is probably the only European country that didnīt produce commemorative coins for circulation.
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Pillar of the Community
Sweden
1078 Posts |
Don't get fooled by the brilliance of new, shiny Swiss coins. Most new coins have a proof-like appearance, but that's standard change and nothing special! I'd highly recommend bringing some of those home, only for the brilliance.
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Valued Member
Italy
78 Posts |
True, coins are prooflike-made since the early 2000s. You will get shiny new coins with awesome look, especially the 5 Rappen piece, wich is gold-coloured and very attractive when in MS.
All of the other coins are made with a copper-nickel alloy. The 10 Rappen is made in the same composition and size since 1879, being the oldest European coin still in production to have the same characteristics.
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Pillar of the Community
Germany
1063 Posts |
I'd say Swiss coinage isn't that interesting. http://en.numista.com/catalogue/suisse-1.htmlHave a look on numista. A lot of the coins have had the same design for a long, long time. 5 Rappen coins have had the same design since 1879, just depends on the material they were produced with if they're considered a different coin. |
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Valued Member
 United States
196 Posts |
Thanks. I just made my arrangements.
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Pillar of the Community
Norway
1358 Posts |
You actually do the same as I do: take home a circulation coin set from a country you visit. I've done this and now have a huge collection of such coins. Despite some people calling the Swiss coins boring, as they haven't changed for over 100 years, you can also say that they're special because of just that. It's probably one of the last countries in the world where you still can find silver coins in circulation (although quite rare in recent years). Switzerland also released quite a few commemorative coins which can be found in circulation, especially 5 Franken coins. Furthermore, in case you want to visit a coin shop, here's a (far-from-comprehensive!) list of coin shops: http://www.numis-online.ch/service/...aendler.htmlGoogle for Muenzenhandel Schweiz and you should get somewhere. |
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Valued Member
United States
196 Posts |
Just got back. Thanks all. I have some .10, .20, 1CHF, 2CHF, and 5CHF coins that I brought home as well as some paper. The coins are really nice. The details on the wreaths on the reverse are fantastic, and I like the 1CHF and 2CHF coins. Really nice Obverse on them. Has an old-timey feel, reminds me a little of some of the older US coins. The 5CHF coin is alright, but I prefer the 1 and 2 more. So they are in the box with all of the other coins I have grabbed over the years, and I'll look at them and enjoy them. |
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Replies: 7 / Views: 1,353 |
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Posted 08/18/2016 11:01 am
