The 5-franc coin

The 5-franc coin is a very special coin not only in Switzerland but also further afield. A distinctive feature is its design, which has remained more or less unchanged for nearly 100 years. But the value of the 5-franc coin itself is also unique. Most coin sets lack coins with a similarly high value or comparable purchasing power. And few coins earn affectionate nicknames like this one does: “Fünfliber”, “schnegg”, “cent sous”, or “une tune”.

The first 5-franc coins used for transactions in western Switzerland were the French 5-franc coins, which came into circulation in Switzerland in 1795. In Bernese currency, they were worth around 35 batzen or 5 pounds (livres), which is where the German term “Fünfliber” commonly used today originates. The foundations for the Swiss franc were laid with the establishment of the federal state in 1848 and the adoption of the Act on Federal Coinage in 1850.

1850
The first Swiss 5-franc coins were minted in Paris (these coins therefore bear the mint mark A). These coins were silver coins weighing 25g and measuring 37mm in diameter. The obverse featured an image of Helvetia seated. The reverse was designed in the same style as the 1-franc and 2-franc coins.

1888
From 1888, the obverse featured the head of Libertas, based on a design by Karl Schwenzer. The reverse was also redesigned based on a design by Christian Bühler and featured the Swiss coat of arms. These coins were minted in Bern and therefore bear the mint mark B.

1922
An initial version of the current design featuring the Alpine shepherd was introduced based on a design by Paul Burkhard. Since then, the reverse has featured the coat of arms, flanked by edelweiss and alpine roses. As the new dies had to be repaired several times, the coins bearing the year 1922 were not minted until 1923.

1923
The dies were revised again. The cross on the reverse was adapted to meet heraldic requirements, and the arms of the cross were slimmed down.

1924
Paul Burkhard created new designs; “5 Fr.” became “5 FR.”, the shepherd’s facial features became more distinctive and the relief was significantly enhanced. As the revised dies did not arrive until October 1924, coins were still minted using the old dies in 1924. The 5-franc coins from the years 1922 and 1923 were gradually withdrawn and replaced by newly minted coins.

1927
Dissolution of the Latin Monetary Union.

1931
With the revision of the Coinage Act in 1931, the 5-franc coin – formerly a legal tender coin – was downgraded to a token coin. Its diameter was reduced from 37mm to 31mm, its weight from 25g to 15g and its silver content from 0.900 to 0.835.

1934
The old 5-franc coins were withdrawn from circulation on 1 February 1934.

1968
The 5-franc coins were now made of cupronickel, but had not yet been issued.

1969
The 5-franc coins were still minted in silver, as a switch to cupronickel was not considered urgent. It was only when circulation became severely depleted due to collectors that the switch to cupronickel was finally implemented.

1970
The withdrawal of silver coins and the switch to cupronickel sparked a veritable collecting frenzy among the Swiss population. The quantities required for the switch to cupronickel were minted in Switzerland (mint mark B) and abroad (without a mint mark). Coin collectors now collected both variants, which led to a further shortage in coin supply. To counteract this shortage, the B mint mark was discontinued. As coin collectors no longer collected coins with or without a mint mark, instead preferring coins from all minting years, the expected easing of the coin shortage failed to materialise.

1971
The “smaller” silver coins minted between 1931 and 1961 were withdrawn from circulation.

1982
The minting process switched from coin orientation (as in US mintage) to medallic orientation (also known as British turnover).

1985
To improve security for coin-operated machines, the raised edge inscription was replaced by recessed edge lettering from 1985 onwards.

1986
After 16 years, the mint mark B was reintroduced.

1991 (and also 1993)
Counterfeit coins from the 1991 (and also 1993) issues were put into circulation even before the Swiss National Bank released the originals. Consequently, the original coins were withheld and later sold exclusively in coin sets. 5-franc coins from the 1991 and 1993 issues are therefore rare and are traded for many times their face value.

1992
The lettering of the recessed edge inscription was made bolder for better legibility.

1994
Due to numerous counterfeits, the recessed edge inscription was replaced by the forgery-proof raised edge inscription. The 5-franc coins with the recessed edge inscription were withdrawn from circulation in January 2024.

Description of the coin designs

Obverse: Front view of a beardless male bust in a hooded shepherd’s shirt, face turned to the right. At the top, the inscription CONFOEDERATIO HELVETICA in a semicircle. At the bottom left, in small letters, the artist’s name P. BURKHARD INCT. A circle of pearls.
Reverse: Within a rounded shield, the Swiss cross, flanked by a branch of edelweiss (left) and a branch of alpine rose (right); above the shield, 5 FR. Below, the year. A circle of pearls
Edge inscription: *** / DOMINUS PROVIDEBIT / **********