ObverseImage: Wikimedia Commons · Fouky · Public domain
Swiss 10 Centimes
Switzerland
1879–1980
Reference data compiled from public catalogs
Market Price Range
Based on 16 eBay listings · Prices vary by grade and condition
Estimated Melt Value
$0.04
Based on Copper spot price ($6.07/oz) · 95.0% purity · 3g
Updated 7:32 AM
Collector premium not included
Specifications
| Country | Switzerland |
| Years Minted | 1879–1980 |
| Composition | Bronze |
| Weight | 3 g |
| Diameter | 19.5 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Edge | Reeded |
Design
Obverse
The obverse features the Swiss cross surrounded by the inscription 'CONFOEDERATIO HELVETICA' and the year.
Reverse
The reverse displays the denomination '10' within an oak wreath.
History & Notable Facts
The 1879 Swiss 10 Centimes coin was the first to feature the federal coat of arms on its obverse, a design element that symbolized Switzerland's unified identity amid its cantonal diversity.
This bronze coin, weighing about 3 grams, circulated as a tenth of a Swiss Franc, handling the small change of daily life from markets to mountain villages. Early versions used a simple wreath on the reverse, but slight modifications appeared over the decades. No one knows exactly how many were melted down during World War II for their copper content, though records suggest shortages made them scarce.
Struck at the Bern mint, the coin's alloy was consistent, resisting wear in Switzerland's rigorous climate. That's more than you can say for some coins that crumble at the first sign of humidity. Variations in edge lettering from the 1950s onward reflect updated anti-counterfeiting measures, though fakes remain rare.
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AI Analysis & Price Prediction
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