100 Greatest Modern World Coins Series: Switzerland 1928-B Silver 5 Francs

We often talk about rarities when it comes to coins. Some are production limits, some are errors, and some happen due to little to no demand. However, this next entry in our 100 Greatest Modern World Coins blog series is most likely attributed to a different kind of circumstance that is not all that common. Along with authors Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker, we will explore in the Whitman Publishing publication an issue in a limited series from Switzerland that was produced during “a dramatic change in collecting landscape.”

#85 - Switzerland 1928-B Silver 5 Francs

Struck in two types, the Swiss 5-Franc coin was issued in silver from 1922 to 1928. Its initial type was only produced in 1922 and 1923 until it was changed in the following years to show greater detail and strike “more fully.” Designed by engraver Paul Burkhard after he won a competition in 1919, the coin bore the portrait of William Tell who is important to the identity of the Swiss as the story of Tell is said to represent the importance of the citizen soldier as a defense against tyranny and invasion.

Every issue in the series is said to be highly collectible in a Mint State condition, especially those Specimen strikes that are more scarce. These are said to be easily identifiable from circulation strikes as they appear to have prooflike surfaces. The 1928 issue is specifically one of the more rare pieces. As the authors specify that the “collecting landscape” changed dramatically as this time, the mintage of year 1928 is thought to be 24,000 which is the lowest mintage of the series. However, this is where the rarity ensues. According to experts, it is believed that less than 100 of that initial mintage still survives. Others believe that it is even less than that. Why? Many were a part of a large melting.

In 2016, a Specimen of the 1928 Silver 5-Franc was certified by PCGS and graded an SP64. It brought nearly $20,000 at auction. Three years prior, the finest example ever certified by PCGS brought $25,853.53.