Description
The Swiss 20 Franc Vreneli
gold coin is one of the world's classic gold coins and quite popular
among investors. Switzerland, neutral since its creation by the
Congress of Vienna in 1815, has long been synonymous with stability and
fiscal strength due to its practice of backing its currency with large
quantities of gold.
Design
The obverse of this Swiss 20 Franc,
considered by some as the loveliest of all Swiss coin designs, features
a bust of a Vreneli, the charming 'Swiss Miss' of Swiss lore. With
braided hair, she wears a garland of flowers and appears against the
background of the Swiss Alps. Above her head appears the word
'HELVETIA', which is why this coin is also referred to as a Helvetia.
The reverse of the coin features a Swiss shield over a background of
an oak branch tied with ribbons. The denomination (20 FR) and the date
also appear on this side.
Minting Information
All Vreneli Swiss 20 Francs were
minted in the country's lone mint facility located in Bern and are
composed of 90% gold. In 1879, 29 known pieces were struck with bright
Valaisan gold from Gondo. These coins are distinguished with a small
cross punched in the center of the Swiss cross on the reverse.
Helvetia
Helvetia is now known as a
western region in Switzerland, but it once referred to the entire area
and its people. Julius Caesar conquered the Helvetii for the Roman
Empire in 58 B.C. The name stayed with the people and the region up
through the beginning of the 19th Century. In fact, the country was
named the Helvetian Republic in 1798 during Napoleon's rule over the
region. Once Napoleon was defeated, the Congress of Vienna recognized
Switzerland's sovereign nature. From this point on, Switzerland has
remained neutral during foreign wars.
Learn why the Swiss $20 Franc is the choice coin of our clients.
| Detailed Coin Information |
| Gross Weight: 6.4516g |
Gold Content: 0.1867 troy oz. |
| Composition: 90% gold |
| Diameter: 21mm |
Dates: 1896* 1897-1916; 1922; 1925-27; 1930; 1935; 1945-47; 1949
* Minting of this coin in 1896 has been reported, but not confirmed. |
| Mint: Bern |
