Terms and
definitions

Token coin

Token coin, coins whose intrinsic metal value is less than their face value.

Coin orientation

The obverse and reverse are upside-down relative to each other.

Medal orientation

Both faces are oriented the same way; also called “German mintage” or “British turnover”.

Latin Monetary Union

The Latin Monetary Union (officially Union monétaire latine) was a currency union between France, Belgium, Italy and Switzerland that existed from 23 December 1865 until 1914 (formally until 31 December 1926). Greece joined in 1868. Other countries minted their coins according to the regulations of the monetary union, but did not become members. This meant that a bimetallic silver-gold standard prevailed in most of Europe.

Wreath with 22/23 stars

The 22 and 23 stars represent the different cantons. Since 2000, the half-cantons have been counted individually in the Federal Constitution and the number of stars would have to be increased to 26. However, this change was never reflected in the coin design.

Full-bodied coins

Coins whose face value also corresponds to the precious metal value of the coin.

Mint mark

Mint marks are, for example, numbers or letters that are cut into the coin. They are intended to provide information about where the coin was made. Each mint has its own mint mark, which usually consists of one or more letters.