Collectible Swiss Coins

The first coin to be called a Swiss franc was a silver, 10-batzen coin minted by the Bern Canton (state) in 1757. By the middle of the 19th century, some 860 varieties of coins were circulating in Switzerland, minted by Swiss Cantons, cities, and religious organizations, although the majority of the coins used for goods and services in the landlocked nation were foreign—this disparity would continue until the beginning of the 20th century.

In 1842, the first in a long series of silver Shooting Festival coins were struck—though o...stensibly ceremonial, they were treated as legal tender. In 1849, the coinage and currency was standardized at 100 rappen to each Swiss franc.