Swiss 1910 Silver 5 Francs

This 1910 Swiss 5 Francs coin was struck to commemorate the 600th anniversary of the Swiss Confederation, a nod to the 1291 pact that united cantons against Habsburg rule.

Weighing 25 grams of .900 fine silver, it features the federal coat of arms on the obverse and a wreath encircling the denomination on the reverse. The design, by engraver Fritz Ulysse Landry, reflects a straightforward Swiss aesthetic—efficient, unadorned. Records suggest around 1.5 million were minted, though exact figures from that year remain murky due to wartime disruptions later in the century.

As for myths, I've heard tales of these coins funding secret Swiss bank accounts, but that's nonsense; they were just currency with a historical stamp. Some collectors overlook the edge inscription, "DOMINUS PROVIDEBIT," a biblical reference that might make you think the Swiss were hedging their bets.