History of coins · 1850
1850: The Swiss franc
The new federal state replaces dozens of cantonal currencies with one: the Swiss franc of 100 centimes (Rappen).
Before 1850, Switzerland had a patchwork of cantonal coins. The Federal Coinage Act of 7 May 1850 introduced the franc, modelled on the French franc, as the single national currency, and the first federal coins were struck the same year.
Swiss coins are popular with collectors worldwide. Half-franc to five-franc coins dated before 1968 contain silver, and the gold 20-franc 'Vreneli' with the head of Helvetia (struck from 1897 to 1949) is one of Europe's best-loved gold coins. Rare years and the letter B for the Bern mint are worth checking.
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