Ten Francs 1914, Coin from Switzerland - detailed information

Ten Francs 1914, Coin from Switzerland (withdrawn 1936)
CoinTen Francs 1914

The Ten 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. The denomination is thus shown with a language-neutral abbreviation on the reverse: 10 FR.

Initially when federal Swiss coinage was introduced in 1850, all "francs" (from five francs down to a half franc) were full-bodied silver, while the centimes were either billon (low-grade silver) or base metal. In 1883, a 20 francs gold coin was introduced, with a design like the 5 francs coin at the time. It contained 6.45 g gold at 90% purity, conforming with the standard of the Latin Monetary Union. In 1895, the Federal Council decided that the coin should be made with a novel design. A depiction of Helvetia by Neuchâtel artist Fritz Ulysse Landry (1842 - 1927) was selected, which shows a female head with tresses in profile, with a garland of edelweiss and an alpine panorama in the background. The design was widely popular and given the endearing nickname of Vreneli.

A 10 francs version of the Vreneli was produced from 1911 to 1922, with a total issue of 2.6 million. The first series of banknotes, issued 1907, included no 10 or 20 francs denomination. The gold coins existed in circulation alongside the corresponding banknotes during 1911 - 1936. With the devaluation of 1936, the intrinsic value of the gold coins rose above their face value; however, they have never been formally demonetised, even though they were effectively withdrawn from circulation after 27 September 1936.

MintBern Mint Mint MarkLetter B Total Mintage 200,000
Obverse
Switzerland / Ten Francs 1914 - obverse photo

Within a beaded border, the obverse design of the coin shows a depiction of Helvetia - the female personification of Switzerland - by Fritz Ulysse Landry. Helvetia is seen in profile, facing left, her hair braided, with a garland of edelweiss flowers around her shoulders. There is an alpine panorama of high mountains (the Alps) in the background. The design is widely known by its nickname of Vreneli.

The artist's name F. LANDRY is incuse around left.

Around above, the inscription HELVETIA (the Latin name of Switzerland).

Obverse Inscription HELVETIA
Reverse
Switzerland / Ten Francs 1914 - reverse photo

Within a beaded border, the reverse has the Swiss Cross on top as a radiate Sun (with rays of light going out from it in all directions).

Below, divided by the rays, the value and denomination 10 FR, below which centrally the date 1914.

Under a decoration in the form of a sprig of alpine flowers, the mint mark B of the Federal Mint of Switzerland (ex Bern Mint, now known as Swissmint).

Reverse Inscription 10 FR 1914
EdgeMilledEdge InscriptionNone
Ten Francs 1914: References to Information Used
SourceEditionAboutLinkNotes
Swissmint Mint link
Swissmint Mintage link
Advertising
Buy Silver Coins Online
Buy Silver Coins Online
My Collection
Please sign up and/or log in.
You will then be able to manage your collection and record whether you have or want this coin.
Ten Francs 1914: Details
CountrySwitzerland
CurrencySwiss Franc
Coin TypeTen Francs, Gold (Vreneli)
Issued1914
SymbolVreneli
ReverseSwiss Cross
Face Value10 (x Franc)
Total Mintage200,000
CurrentNo; withdrawn 1936
Material0.900 Gold
DesignerFritz Ulysse Landry
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
OrientationMedal Alignment (Axis 0)
Size19.0000 mm
Mass3.2258 g
OCC IDWMRA-EQPC-XDVZ-OYPL
Search Similar Coins to Buy (Affiliate Ad)
Share or Bookmark this Page
Ten Francs 1914: Photos
ImageDetails
Ten Francs 1914: Photo Coin, Switzerland, 10 Francs 1914 / thumbnail Coin, Switzerland, 10 Francs 1914
Copyright: NumisCorner.com
Source
Ten Francs 1914: Photo Coin, Switzerland, 10 Francs 1914 / thumbnail Coin, Switzerland, 10 Francs 1914
Copyright: NumisCorner.com
Source
Ten Francs 1914: Catalogue Reference IDs
SourceReference ID
Krause, Standard Catalog of World CoinsSwitzerland KM# 36