Half Franc 2017, Coin from Switzerland - detailed information

Half Franc 2017, Coin from Switzerland
CoinHalf Franc 2017

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.

Current Half Franc coins are made of cupro-nickel (75% copper, 25% nickel); this version was first issued in 1968 and is still currently produced. Coins issued in 2017 have been in circulation for seven years.

MintSwissmint Mint MarkLetter B Total Mintage 14,029,500 (14.0 million)
Obverse
Switzerland / Half Franc 2017 - obverse photo

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 23 five-pointed stars along the rim of the coin, going from the lower left to lower right boundaries of the obverse. These represent the 20 full Swiss cantons 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 12 to the right of the central allegorical figure.

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
Switzerland / Half Franc 2017 - reverse photo

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: 2017 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. 2017
EdgeMilledEdge InscriptionNone
Notes

The Swissmint report lists mintage of 14,029,500 and also lists 9,000 "Stempelglanz" (brilliant uncirculated) coins in the year's mint sets, 10,000 in "baby sets", 5,000 in "Christmas sets" and 3,000 in "Anniversary" sets plus 2,500 "Polierte Platte" (proofs) in the year's proof sets. It is not explicitly stated that coins in sets have been calculated into the main figure, but it seems to be the case.

Half Franc 2017: Known varieties
Variety In mint sets
Mintage Issued: 27,000 (included in total)
Details

Brilliant Uncirculated ("STGL" from "Stempelglanz" in German) coins in the year's mint sets.

In Sets Schweizer Münzen Stempelglanz / Monnaies suisses Fleur de coin - Swissmint 2017, mintage 9,000
8 coins: 10 Fr. Gentiana, 5 Fr., 2 Fr., 1 Fr., 1/2 Fr., 20 c., 10 c., 5 c.

Schweizer Münzen Stempelglanz / Monnaies suisses Fleur de coin - Swissmint 2017 (Baby Set), mintage 10,000
7 coins: 5 Fr., 2 Fr., 1 Fr., 1/2 Fr., 20 c., 10 c., 5 c.

Schweizer Münzen Stempelglanz / Monnaies suisses Fleur de coin - Swissmint 2017 (Christmas Set), mintage 5,000
7 coins: 5 Fr., 2 Fr., 1 Fr., 1/2 Fr., 20 c., 10 c., 5 c.

Schweizer Münzen Stempelglanz / Monnaies suisses Fleur de coin - Swissmint 2017 (Anniversary Set), mintage 3,000
7 coins: 5 Fr., 2 Fr., 1 Fr., 1/2 Fr., 20 c., 10 c., 5 c.
Variety Proof
Mintage Issued: 2,500 (included in total)
Details

Proof coins ("PP" from "Polierte Platte" in German) in the year's proof sets.

In Set Schweizer Münzen Polierte Platte / Monnaies suisses Flan bruni - Swissmint 2017, mintage 2,500
8 coins: 10 Fr. Gentiana, 5 Fr., 2 Fr., 1 Fr., 1/2 Fr., 20 c., 10 c., 5 c.
Half Franc 2017: References to Information Used
SourceEditionAboutLinkNotes
Swissmint 2017 Mint link
Swissmint 2017 Mintage link
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Half Franc 2017: Details
CountrySwitzerland
CurrencySwiss Franc
Coin TypeHalf Franc, CuproNickel
Issued2017
SymbolHelvetia, Standing
Face Value1/2 (x Franc)
Total Mintage14,029,500 (14.0 million)
CurrentYes
MaterialCuproNickel
DesignerFr. Fisch, A. Walch, A. Bovy
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
OrientationCoin Alignment (Axis 6)
Size18.2000 mm
Thickness1.2500 mm
Mass2.2000 g
OCC IDWMRA-OQPC-XAAX-EYPL
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Half Franc 2017: Photos
ImageDetails
Half Franc 2017: Photo Coin, Switzerland, 1/2 Franc 2017 / thumbnail Coin, Switzerland, 1/2 Franc 2017
Copyright: NumisCorner.com
Source
Half Franc 2017: Photo Coin, Switzerland, 1/2 Franc 2017 / thumbnail Coin, Switzerland, 1/2 Franc 2017
Copyright: NumisCorner.com
Source
Half Franc 2017: Catalogue Reference IDs
SourceReference ID
Schön, WeltmünzkatalogSchweiz Schön# 57
Krause, Standard Catalog of World CoinsSwitzerland KM# 23a.3