Half Franc 2024, Coin from Switzerland - detailed information

Half Franc 2024, Coin from Switzerland
CoinHalf Franc 2024

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 2024 have been in circulation for less than one year.

MintSwissmint Mint MarkLetter B Mintageunknown
Obverse
Switzerland / Half Franc 2024 - 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

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: 2024 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. 2024
EdgeMilledEdge InscriptionNone
Half Franc 2024: Known varieties
Variety In mint sets
Mintage Issued: 10,000 (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 2024 (Anniversary Set), mintage 4,000
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 2024 (BU Set), mintage 6,000
8 coins: 10 Fr. Rhône Glacier, 5 Fr., 2 Fr., 1 Fr., 1/2 Fr., 20 c., 10 c., 5 c.
Variety Proof
Mintage Issued: 2,000 (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 2024 (Proof Set), mintage 2,000
8 coins: 10 Fr. Rhône Glacier, 5 Fr., 2 Fr., 1 Fr., 1/2 Fr., 20 c., 10 c., 5 c.
Half Franc 2024: References to Information Used
SourceEditionAboutLinkNotes
Swissmint Mint link
Swissmint Mintage link
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Half Franc 2024: Details
CountrySwitzerland
CurrencySwiss Franc
Coin TypeHalf Franc, CuproNickel
Issued2024
SymbolHelvetia, Standing
Face Value1/2 (x Franc)
Mintageunknown
CurrentYes
MaterialCuproNickel
DesignerFr. Fisch, A. Walch, A. Bovy
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
OrientationMedal Alignment (Axis 0)
Size18.2000 mm
Thickness1.2500 mm
Mass2.2000 g
OCC IDYRVP-EVRC-XPAZ-EDQG
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Half Franc 2024: Catalogue Reference IDs
SourceReference ID
Schön, WeltmünzkatalogSchweiz Schön# 57
Krause, Standard Catalog of World CoinsSwitzerland KM# 23a.3