ObverseImage: Wikimedia Commons · J.Courtois (Original uploader was Ivlianvs at fr.wikipedia) · Public domain
Swiss 1 Centime
Switzerland
1879–1918
Reference data compiled from public catalogs
Estimated Melt Value
$0.02
Based on Copper spot price ($6.07/oz) · 95.0% purity · 1.8g
Updated 6:41 PM
Collector premium not included
Specifications
| Country | Switzerland |
| Years Minted | 1879–1918 |
| Composition | Bronze |
| Weight | 1.8 g |
| Diameter | 15 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Edge | Plain |
Design
Obverse
Features the Swiss cross and the inscription 'HEL VETIA'.
Reverse
Displays the denomination '1 CENTIME' and the year.
History & Notable Facts
The Swiss 1 Centime coin, despite its diminutive size of just 15.68 millimeters in diameter, was minted in bronze to serve as the backbone of small transactions in a rapidly industrializing Switzerland.
Production began in 1879 at the Bern mint, continuing until 1918, with designs featuring the federal coat of arms on one side and the denomination on the other. These coins used a standard bronze alloy, though exact compositions varied slightly over the years—details that numismatists like me have puzzled over for decades.
We don't know the precise mintage figures for every year; records from that era are spotty at best. What’s clear is that variations exist, such as edge lettering changes in 1888, which might trip up the unwary collector.
A side note: some folks swear these coins brought good luck if kept in a pocket. I've yet to see evidence of that.
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