| Coin | Fifty Francs 2023 Federal Constitution |
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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 was issued to mark the 175th anniversary of the Federal Constitution of Switzerland.
Swissmint says about it:
On 12 September 1848, the old confederation became a federal state and the first permanent democracy in Europe. The first Federal Constitution, however, was a real stroke of genius - with it, in a very short time, our forefathers created an institutional foundation for modern Switzerland that remains stable to this day. |
| Mint | Swissmint |
Mint Mark | Letter B |
Total Mintage |
5,000
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| Obverse | |
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The obverse features at its centre the standing figure of Helvetia, the female personification of the Swiss Federation. She wears a robe and holds an olive branch in her right hand. Her left hand rests on a shield carrying the Swiss Cross, with thin vertical lines ("heraldic hatching) indicating its red colour. In the left field, the symbol of peace - a flying dove holding a small olive branch in its beak.
Around above, the inscription CONFOEDERATIO HELVETICA (translated from Latin: Confederation of Switzerland); it is interrupted by a small Swiss Cross. The inscription is followed by the year of issue 2023, after which a small letter B represents the mint mark of Swissmint (ex Bern Mint).
Centrally below, on two lines the face value and denomination (fifty francs) abbreviated as 50 FR. |
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| Reverse | |
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At centre, the reverse design features four ears of wheat inside a circle; on the left, a flying dove with an olive branch in its beak; on the right, two hands as if in a handshake.
From an eye form above, rays radiate into the background.
Around the rim, the words "Federal Constitution" in the four official languages of Switzerland, separated by Swiss crosses: CONSTITUTION FÉDÉRALE (French), CONSTITUZIONE FEDERALE (Italian), BUNDESVERFASSUNG (German), and CONSTITUZIUN FEDERALA (Romansh).
Above, the anniversary dates 1848 - 2023.
In small letters in the inner circle below right, the designer's name P. SALZMANN. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
+ CONSTITUTION FÉDÉRALE + CONSTITUZIONE FEDERALE + BUNDESVERFASSUNG+ CONSTITUZIUN FEDERALA + 1848 - |
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| Edge | Plain, inscribed | Edge Inscription | DOMINUS PROVIDEBIT * * * * * * * * * * * * * |
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| Notes | Release date: 1 July 2023.
Mintage includes 3,750 proof coins issued in presentation box, 250 proof coins with certificates signed by the artist, and 1,000 proof coins issued in a two-coin set together with a silver coin with the same design. |
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