ObverseImage: Wikimedia Commons · Scott Semans · CC BY 3.0
Swiss 50 Centimes
Switzerland
1875–1967
Reference data compiled from public catalogs
Market Price Range
Based on 3 eBay listings · Prices vary by grade and condition
Estimated Melt Value
$5.29
Based on Silver spot price ($78.87/oz) · 83.5% purity · 2.5g
Updated 7:32 AM
Collector premium not included
Specifications
| Country | Switzerland |
| Years Minted | 1875–1967 |
| Composition | 0.835 silver |
| Weight | 2.5 g |
| Diameter | 18 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Edge | Reeded |
Design
Obverse
Features the Swiss cross surrounded by a wreath.
Reverse
Depicts the denomination '50 Centimes' with the year below.
History & Notable Facts
In 1931, Switzerland switched the 50 Centimes from silver to nickel amid the global silver shortage, a pragmatic move that kept the coin in pockets rather than melting pots.
That change reflected the era's economic turbulence. Early versions, struck from 1875 in .835 fine silver, featured a simple design: the Swiss cross on one side and the federal coat of arms on the other. By the 1920s, as silver prices soared, the alloy shifted to save costs. No one knows exactly how many were minted in those transition years; records from the Bern mint are spotty.
The coin's diameter stayed consistent at 18.2 millimeters, making it a sturdy subunit for the franc. Variations appeared over time, with some years showing subtle edge reeding differences. It's unremarkable in design, really—just functional currency for a neutral country.
Plenty of myths circulate about these coins hiding fortunes, but most are just pocket change from daily life.
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AI Analysis & Price Prediction
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