Twenty Centimes (Rappen), Coin Type from Switzerland - detailed information

Twenty Centimes (Rappen), Coin Type from Switzerland (issued 1850 - )
Coin TypeTwenty Centimes (Rappen)

The Twenty Centimes coin is a small circulating denomination of the Swiss Franc. Given that Switzerland has four official languages, the sub-unit of the Franc has four different names; it is centime (c.) in French, Rappen (Rp.) in German, centesimo (ct.) in Italian and rap (rp.) in Romansh. Some English-language catalogues call the coin a 20 Rappen coin, but the English-language publications of the Swiss National Bank and Swissmint prefer the term 20 centimes.

The first version of the 20 centimes / rappen coin was designed by Carl Friedrich Voigt of the Munich Mint (then Royal Bavarian Mint). On the obverse it featured the Swiss Coat of Arms (a rendering quite different from that on the One Centime and Two Centimes denominations released at the same time but designed by Alexander Hutter), on two flower (Alpine rose) branches. The reverse shows the value (only a numeral, no text) within a flower wreath. This original reverse has remained unchanged and is still used on current coins. This version was lighter (3.25 grams) and made of billon (an alloy with a very low quantity of silver), the composition of which varied through the years.

The first version was issued only until 1859 and was demonetised on 30th June 1886.

In 1881, the obverse was changed to a design by Karl Schwenzer featuring the effigy of Libertas. The metal was changed to pure nickel and the coin became heavier (4 grams). The nickel version was issued until 1938 and circulated until it was finally demonetised on 1st January 2004.

Current 20 centime coins are made of cupro-nickel; this version was first issued in 1939 and is still currently produced.

Obverse
Switzerland / Twenty Centimes (Rappen) - obverse photo

The first version of the obverse (1850 - 1859) was designed by Carl Friedrich Voigt and features the Swiss Coat of Arms (a rendering quite different from that on the One Centime and Two Centimes denominations released at the same time but designed by Alexander Hutter), on two flower (Alpine rose) branches. Around above is the legend HELVETIA. Around below, the date.

The second version of the obverse (1881 - present) features an effigy of Libertas, the Roman goddess and embodiment of Liberty. It depicts a female head looking right, with a ribbon in her hair, wearing a diadem with the text LIBERTAS on it. Around, the legend CONFŒDERATIO HELVETICA (translated from Latin: Swiss Federation). Around below, the date.

Obverse Inscription
Reverse
Switzerland / Twenty Centimes (Rappen) - reverse photo

The reverse shows the value 20 (only a numeral, no text) within a wreath of flowers (Alpine roses). This original reverse has remained unchanged since 1850 to present.

Reverse Inscription 20
EdgePlainEdge InscriptionNone
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Coin Type: Twenty Centimes (Rappen) - (120) Coins (Page 2 of 2)
Coin NameMintageSymbolLegend
Twenty Centimes (Rappen) 2005 6,029,000 Libertas by Karl Schwenzer · CONFŒDERATIO HELVETICA · 2005
Twenty Centimes (Rappen) 2006 5,030,000 Libertas by Karl Schwenzer · CONFŒDERATIO HELVETICA · 2006
Twenty Centimes (Rappen) 2007 22,028,000 Libertas by Karl Schwenzer · CONFŒDERATIO HELVETICA · 2007
Twenty Centimes (Rappen) 2008 41,026,000 Libertas by Karl Schwenzer · CONFŒDERATIO HELVETICA · 2008
Twenty Centimes (Rappen) 2009 32,026,000 Libertas by Karl Schwenzer · CONFŒDERATIO HELVETICA · 2009
Twenty Centimes (Rappen) 2010 18,026,000 Libertas by Karl Schwenzer · CONFŒDERATIO HELVETICA · 2010
Twenty Centimes (Rappen) 2011 20,026,000 Libertas by Karl Schwenzer · CONFŒDERATIO HELVETICA · 2011
Twenty Centimes (Rappen) 2012 32,026,000 Libertas by Karl Schwenzer · CONFŒDERATIO HELVETICA · 2012
Twenty Centimes (Rappen) 2013 32,023,500 Libertas by Karl Schwenzer · CONFŒDERATIO HELVETICA · 2013
Twenty Centimes (Rappen) 2014 30,022,000 Libertas by Karl Schwenzer · CONFŒDERATIO HELVETICA · 2014
Twenty Centimes (Rappen) 2015 20,026,000 Libertas by Karl Schwenzer · CONFŒDERATIO HELVETICA · 2015
Twenty Centimes (Rappen) 2016 15,028,000 Libertas by Karl Schwenzer · CONFŒDERATIO HELVETICA · 2016
Twenty Centimes (Rappen) 2017 13,029,500 Libertas by Karl Schwenzer · CONFŒDERATIO HELVETICA · 2017
Twenty Centimes (Rappen) 2018 10,027,000 Libertas by Karl Schwenzer · CONFŒDERATIO HELVETICA · 2018
Twenty Centimes (Rappen) 2019 15,022,000 Libertas by Karl Schwenzer · CONFŒDERATIO HELVETICA · 2019
Twenty Centimes (Rappen) 2020 15,020,000 Libertas by Karl Schwenzer · CONFŒDERATIO HELVETICA · 2020
Twenty Centimes (Rappen) 2021 5,021,000 Libertas by Karl Schwenzer · CONFŒDERATIO HELVETICA · 2021
Twenty Centimes (Rappen) 2022 1,013,000 Libertas by Karl Schwenzer · CONFŒDERATIO HELVETICA · 2022
Twenty Centimes (Rappen) 2023 1,020,750 Libertas by Karl Schwenzer · CONFŒDERATIO HELVETICA · 2023
Twenty Centimes (Rappen) 2024 unknown Libertas by Karl Schwenzer · CONFŒDERATIO HELVETICA · 2024
Showing 101 to 120 of 120 Coins.
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Twenty Centimes (Rappen): Details
CountrySwitzerland
CurrencySwiss Franc
Sub-types Twenty Centimes (Rappen), Billon
Twenty Centimes (Rappen), Nickel
Twenty Centimes (Rappen), CuproNickel
From1850
Face Value20 (x Centime)
CurrentYes
Material
Designer
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
OrientationMedal Alignment (Axis 0)
Size
Mass
Twenty Centimes (Rappen): Photos
ImageDetails
Twenty Centimes (Rappen): Photo Switzerland 1851-BB 20 rappen Switzerland 1851-BB 20 rappen
Copyright: CoinFactsWiki CC-BY
Author:
Notes: Reverse, billon (1850 - 1859).
Source
Twenty Centimes (Rappen): Photo Coin, Switzerland, 20 Rappen 1929 Coin, Switzerland, 20 Rappen 1929
Copyright: NumisCorner.com
Notes: Reverse, nickel (1881 - 1938).
Source
Twenty Centimes (Rappen): Photo Coin, Switzerland, 20 Rappen 1981 Coin, Switzerland, 20 Rappen 1981
Copyright: NumisCorner.com
Notes: Reverse, copper-nickel (1939 - present).
Source
Twenty Centimes (Rappen): Photo Switzerland 1851-BB 20 rappen Switzerland 1851-BB 20 rappen
Copyright: CoinFactsWiki CC-BY
Author:
Notes: Obverse, billon (1850 - 1859).
Source
Twenty Centimes (Rappen): Photo Coin, Switzerland, 20 Rappen 1929 Coin, Switzerland, 20 Rappen 1929
Copyright: NumisCorner.com
Notes: Obverse, nickel (1881 - 1938).
Source
Twenty Centimes (Rappen): Photo Coin, Switzerland, 20 Rappen 1981 Coin, Switzerland, 20 Rappen 1981
Copyright: NumisCorner.com
Notes: Reverse, copper-nickel (1939 - present).
Source