We are offering an 1865 silver 5 francs from Switzerland. This coin has no wear and full mint luster. This coin has exceptional eye appeal. In our opinion, we believe this coin to be in uncirculated condition.
The modern Swiss franc was introduced in 1850, two years after the formation of Switzerland as a federal state. The federal law establishing the new currency was passed on 7 May 1850. For practical reasons, the Swiss franc was initially created as having parity with the French franc of the day (introduced 1795), with 1 franc equivalent to 5 grams of silver at 90% purity. The official exchange rate with the cantonal concordate currency was seven Batzen to one franc. The 5 francs coin of 1850 was modeled on the French 5 franc coin of 1795, which saw wide circulation in western Switzerland. The old Swiss franc of the Helvetic Republic was also known as livre Suisse ("Swiss pound"), and the colloquial name Fünfliber of the 5 franc coin retains the denomination livre "pound". The original 5 francs coin of 1850/1851, 1855, and 1873/1874 was 25.0 grams of 90% silver. The obverse side showed the seated Helvetia figure (by Friedrich Fisch) with the legend "HELVETIA", the reverse "5 Fr." in a wreath. 1888–1916: obv: head of Liberty (by Karl Schwenzer), with the legend "CONFŒDERATIO HELVETICA", rev: engrailed federal coat of arms in a wreath, "5" and "F on either side of the shield. The edge has an inscription in relief: "DOMINUS PROVIDEBIT" with 13 stars (in groups of 10 and 3).
T-2 - XZFSM - 4/12 - S60 - BC
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DISCLAIMER: Please examine the photos carefully and purchase based on the condition you see and believe the item is. We do not offer any of our currency or coins that are raw with grades, we offer them only with photos and our asking price. We will state our opinion, but, you be the judge of the quality of our raw currency and coins. We will not specify or guarantee a grade unless the coin or currency has been professionally graded by PCGS, NGC, or PMG.
Please note on older coins such as the one offered here that it is not uncommon for them to have noticeable environmental damage, cleaning, or other defects. This is normal for coins of this age. We do our best to provide good pictures you can enlarge and make your own judgment from and in most cases, we will offer our opinion. Grading is not a science but rather an opinion!
