Helvetia (gold coin)

Helvetia
Face value:	20 SFr
Metal:	90% Au , 10% Cu
Fine weight:	5.807 g
Gross weight:	6.452 g
Diameter:	21 mm
Thickness:	1.25 mm
Edge:	Embossing, Dominus Providebit and 13 stars
Embossing years:	1883-1896
front
Motive:	Federal coat of arms with laurel wreath
back
Motive:	Helvetia
Draft date:	1883

The Helvetia gold coin is the predecessor of the gold vrenelis , the most famous gold coin in Switzerland . The 20- franc coin was minted from 1883 to 1896. The total print run was 1,750,050 copies.

The coin weighs around 6.452 grams and consists of 900/1000 gold, the fine gold content is around 5.807 grams or 0.187 ounces . The diameter is 21 millimeters. The coin thus complied with the standards of the Latin Union of Coins .

Years and editions of the 20-franc Helvetia

1883	250,000	1889	100,000	1893	100,000
1886	250,000	1890	125,000	1894	120,600
1887	176	1891	100,000	1895	200,000
1888	4224	1892	100,000	1896	400,000

From the years 1893 and 1895, an additional 25 pieces (1893) and 19 pieces (1895) were minted from gondo gold. Their gold comes from the former gold mine in Gondo , Canton Valais . The Gondo embossings can be recognized by their lighter color, as the alloy contains silver in contrast to the normal embossings. In addition, a small cross is stamped in the middle of the Swiss cross on these coins. This variant of Helvetia is now considered to be very rare. On May 4, 2009, one was auctioned off at a coin auction in Zurich for 68,000 francs. The major Swiss bank UBS bought the coin on behalf of an anonymous customer.

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Official website of Swissmint Das Goldvreneli (PDF file, 288 kB)
2. ↑ Gold from Gondo achieves record price at auction items on the SF page