Swiss 20 Francs 1980 Silver

This 1980 Swiss 20 Francs silver coin was designed by Hans Erni, whose modernist flair turned a simple commemorative into a minor art piece on metal.

Weighing 20 grams with 90% silver content, it was struck at the Bern mint for circulation and collectible purposes. The obverse shows the Swiss coat of arms, while the reverse depicts an allegorical scene—likely tied to a national event, though records don't specify which one. Mintage figures are uncertain; official logs from that era were spotty.

Erni's work here echoes his broader output, blending abstraction with tradition. It's unpretentious, like most Swiss currency.

One oddity: some folks swear this coin feels lighter than it should, as if Switzerland's famed precision took a coffee break.