40,000,000 regular issue coins with a value of CHF 23,700,000
… will be produced this year. How do we set this amount, and when will coins minted in 2025 actually come into circulation? We will answer these and more questions on Swiss coins in circulation.
Teamwork between the Federal Council, the Swiss National Bank and Swissmint
The sovereign right to mint coins, also known as the coinage prerogative, is held by the Confederation according to Article 99 of the Swiss Federal Constitution. Article 4 of the Federal Act on Currency and Payment Instruments (CPIA) states that the Confederation shall mint regular issue coins. The Swiss National Bank then distributes the coins on behalf of the Confederation. The National Bank evens out seasonal fluctuations in the domestic demand for coins, and replaces those coins which are no longer fit for circulation. The coins are minted by the Federal Mint Swissmint.
Key legal provisions at a glance
Article 99 paragraph 1 of the Swiss Federal Constitution (SR 101) states:
The Confederation is responsible for money and currency; the Confederation has the exclusive right to issue coins and banknotes.
All important provisions concerning the issuance and circulation of coins, by contrast, are summarised in the Coinage System section of the Federal Act on Currency and Payment Instructions of 22 December 1999 (SR 941.10).
Here are the most important provisions:
Art. 4 Regular issue coinage
1 The Confederation may operate a federal mint.
2 The Confederation shall mint and issue regular issue coins in order to meet demand for payment transactions.
3 The Federal Council shall decide which regular issue coins are to be minted, put into circulation or withdrawn from circulation.
…
Art. 5 Provision of coinage
1 The National Bank shall provide the required quantities of regular issue coins for payment transactions and shall take back without restriction the coins no longer needed against reimbursement of the nominal value.
Swiss regular issue coins
The face values, diameter, weight, edge inscription and also the alloy are determined by the Federal Council (Art. 2 of the Coinage Ordinance (CoinO)), while the FDF defines the tolerance limits for dimensions and alloys.
