The Fifty Francs coin is a denomination of the Swiss Franc. Given that Switzerland has four official languages, the Franc has three different names: Franken in German, franc in French and Romansh, and franco in Italian.
In regular circulation, the denomination is served by a banknote. These gold coins are non-circulating legal tender made for collectors and struck in proof grade only. They are issued in topical series, celebrating various aspects of Swiss heritage or nature. Swissmint has issued at least one every year since 2001. Initially, both sides of the coin carried a commemorative design; starting from 2004, the obverse is the same and only the reverse changes. (It is worth mentioning that some sources consider it the other way round, and call the commemorative part the obverse; however, we are going with the standard definition, which is that "obverse" is the side which specifies the issuing authority).
The edge is inscribed with the motto DOMINUS PROVIDEBIT (The Lord will provide - a quote from the Bible, Genesis 22, 8), and thirteen stars representing the original thirteen cantons of the Swiss Federation.
This coin commemorates the International Ski Federation Alpine World Ski Championships which took place in St. Moritz in 2003. |
| Obverse | |
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The centre of the obverse shows a panorama of Saint Moritz and the Engadin Valley with the lakes of Saint Moritz, Champfèr, Silvaplana, and Segl between the Western Rhaetian Alps in Switzerland.
In the field below left, the name of the designer: ANDREAS HIS.
Around above, CONFOEDERATIO HELVETICA (from Latin: Swiss Federation).
Around below, ST. MORITZ. |
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