Swiss 2 Francs 1890

The 1890 Swiss 2 Francs coin was struck as part of the Latin Monetary Union's standardized silver series, weighing exactly 10 grams with a fineness of 83.5% silver, which helped unify European currencies at the time.

This denomination featured a simple obverse with the standing figure of Helvetia, shield in hand, and the reverse showing the value encircled by a wreath. Mintage figures for that year are murky; records from the Bern mint were reportedly incomplete due to administrative oversights. What we do know is that these coins circulated widely in daily transactions across Switzerland.

Production occurred at the federal mint in Bern, using dies that reflected the nation's push for uniformity after 1850. It's a solid example of late 19th-century Swiss numismatics, free of the embellishments some collectors imagine. As for surprises, the design is about as exciting as a Swiss train schedule.