Half Franc 1899, Coin from Switzerland

Half Franc 1899, Coin from Switzerland (demonetised 1971)

Coin	Half Franc 1899

The Half Franc coin is a circulating denomination of the Swiss Franc. Given that Switzerland has four official languages, it has three different names: Franken in German, franc in French and Romansh, and franco in Italian. It is worth noting that the denomination is a "half franc" and not "50 centimes" for historic reasons, being initially modelled on a denomination of the French franc which was a "demi franc", and to distinguish it from the smaller denominations; initially, all "francs" (including the half franc) were full-bodied silver, while the centimes were either billon (low-grade silver) or base metal.

The first version of the half franc coin featuring a seated figure of Helvetia was designed by Friedrich Fisch and engraved by Antoine Bovy. The reverse shows the value, a numeral ½, and a language-neutral abbreviation of the denomination, Fr. within a wreath whose left part consists of oak branches and the right part of various Alpine flowers. This original reverse has remained unchanged and is still used on current coins. This version was heavier than current coins (2.5 grams) and made of 0.900 silver. It was only issued in 1850 and 1851 and was struck by the Paris Mint. It was demonetised on 1st January 1869, then for several years there were no half franc coins in circulation.

In 1875, the obverse was changed to a new design by Albert Walch featuring a Standing Helvetia. This version was issued to the specifications of the Latin Monetary Union and had a composition of 83.5% silver and 16.5% copper.

This second silver version of the Half Franc was issued until 1967 and was demonetised on 1st April 1971 when the country changed to the current cupronickel Half Franc coins.

Coins issued in 1899 circulated for 72 years.

Mint	Swissmint	Mint Mark	Letter B	Total Mintage	400,000

Obverse

The obverse, which has remained unchanged from 1875 to the present, features Helvetia standing on a platform, her head facing to the left. In her right hand (at the left), she holds a lance, and with her left (at the right), she props up a shield with the Swiss Cross at centre. In exergue is the legend HELVETIA.

There are 22 five-pointed stars along the rim of the coin, going from the lower left to lower right boundaries of the obverse. These represent the 19 full Swiss cantons of the time and the six half-cantons, which are collectively represented by the three remaining stars. The tip of Helvetia's lance extends to the rim and separates the ninth and tenth stars in the sequence. Nine of the stars are engraved up to the lance, two between the lance and Helvetia's face, and 11 to the right of the central allegorical figure, depending on the year of issue.

The engraver's signature, A.BOVY INCT. (an abbreviation for the Latin text "Antoine Bovy incidit", meaning "engraved by Antoine Bovy), is located around below, displayed counter-clockwise in small letters. It is split in two by the legend: "A.BOVY" appears to the left of "HELVETIA", and "INCT." to the right.

Obverse Inscription	HELVETIA

Reverse

The reverse, which has remained unchanged since 1850, shows the value - a numeral ½, and a language-neutral abbreviation of the denomination, Fr., above the date: 1899 within a wreath whose left part consists of oak branches and the right part of various Alpine flowers.

Below the ribbon of the wreath is the mint mark B of Swissmint (formerly known as the Bern Mint, then the Federal Mint of Switzerland).

Reverse Inscription	½ Fr. 1899

Edge	Milled	Edge Inscription	None

Half Franc 1899: Known varieties

Variety	Specimen
Mintage	Issued: unknown

Half Franc 1899: References to Information Used

Source	Edition	About	Link	Notes
Swissmint	2017	Mint	link
Swissmint	2017	Mintage	link

Showing 100 from a total of 117 coins of type: Half Franc

Coin Name	Mintage	Symbol	Legend
Half Franc 1850	2,250,000	Helvetia, Seated	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1851	2,250,000	Helvetia, Seated	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1875	1,000,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1877	1,000,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1878	1,000,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1879	1,000,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1881	1,000,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1882	1,000,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1894	800,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1896	28	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1898	1,600,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1899	400,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1900	400,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1901	200,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1903	800,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1904	400,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1905	600,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1906	1,000,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1907	1,200,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1908	800,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1909	1,000,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1910	1,000,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1913	800,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1914	2,000,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1916	800,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1920	5,400,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1921	6,000,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1928	1,000,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1929	2,000,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1931	1,000,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1932	1,000,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1934	2,000,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1936	400,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1937	1,000,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1939	1,001,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1940	2,002,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1941	200,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1942	2,969,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1943	4,573,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1944	7,455,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1945	4,928,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1946	6,817,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1948	6,113,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1950	7,148,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1951	8,530,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1952	14,023,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1953	3,567,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1955	1,320,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1956	4,250,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1957	12,085,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1958	11,558,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1959	12,581,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1960	14,528,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1961	6,906,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1962	18,272,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1963	25,168,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1964	22,720,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1965	17,920,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1966	10,008,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1967	16,096,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1968	64,920,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1969	83,104,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1970	52,620,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1971	34,472,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1972	9,996,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1973	5,000,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1974	45,006,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1975	27,234,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1976	10,009,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1977	19,011,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1978	20,818,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1979	27,014,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1980	31,074,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1981	30,165,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1982	30,161,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1983	22,031,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1984	20,050,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1985	6,038,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1986	5,031,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1987	10,028,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1988	5,029,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1989	10,031,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1990	20,032,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1991	10,036,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1992	30,028,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1993	13,023,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1994	15,023,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1995	10,024,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1996	8,023,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1997	6,022,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1998	6,021,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 1999	5,021,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 2000	4,026,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 2001	6,028,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 2002	2,030,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 2003	2,028,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 2004	2,029,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 2005	1,029,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 2006	2,030,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Half Franc 2007	18,028,000	Helvetia, Standing	HELVETIA
Showing 1 to 100 of 117 Coins. Start Previous 1 2 Next End

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Half Franc 1899: Details

Country	Switzerland
Currency	Swiss Franc
Coin Type	Half Franc, Silver
Issued	1899
Symbol	Helvetia, Standing
Face Value	1/2 (x Franc)
Total Mintage	400,000
Current	No; demonetised 1971
Material	0.835 Silver
Designer	Fr. Fisch, A. Walch, A. Bovy
Technology	Milled (machine-made)
Shape	Round
Orientation	Coin Alignment (Axis 6)
Size	18.2000 mm
Thickness	1.2500 mm
Mass	2.5000 g
OCC ID	RMKG-OZAC-DPYL-ENXQ

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Half Franc 1899: Photos

Image	Details
	Switzerland 1899-B 1/2 franc Copyright: CoinFactsWiki CC-BY Author: Heritage Auctions Source
	Switzerland 1899-B 1/2 franc Copyright: CoinFactsWiki CC-BY Author: Heritage Auctions Source

Half Franc 1899: Catalogue Reference IDs

Source	Reference ID
Schön, Weltmünzkatalog	Schweiz Schön# 27
Krause, Standard Catalog of World Coins	Switzerland KM# 23

Half Franc 1899, Coin from Switzerland - detailed information