Swiss 1945 5 Francs Aluminum

Switzerland's 1945 5 Franc coin was minted in aluminum because the war had drained supplies of traditional metals, even in a neutral country.

That switch meant using a lighter material, which some collectors note made these coins feel almost insubstantial in hand. The design itself is straightforward: a simple wreath on the obverse and the Swiss cross on the reverse, reflecting the era's austerity.

We don't know the exact mintage figures; records from that period are spotty. What is clear is that these were produced at the Bern mint to keep the economy circulating amid global shortages.

The coin's edge is reeded, a standard feature, though it didn't stop people from hoarding them later. I once had a batch that turned up in an old bank vault, still shiny after decades.