Coin
½ Franc Helvetia seated — Switzerland
Switzerland • HMZ 2#1205, Divo/Tob19#308, KM#8, Schön#20, Y#26
Overview
Standard circulation coin from Switzerland, minted in 1850. Features a seated Helvetia on the obverse.
Specifications
- Country
- Switzerland
- Composition
- Silver (.900) (10% copper)
- Weight
- 2.5 g
- Diameter
- 18.2 mm
- Mint
- Monnaie de Paris, Paris
- Shape
- Round
- Technique
- Milled
- References
- HMZ 2#1205, Divo/Tob19#308, KM#8, Schön#20, Y#26
- Issuer
- Switzerland
Design details
Obverse
In a mountain setting, Helvetia, the female personification of Switzerland, seated and wearing a toga, is holding a Swiss shield in her left hand and is raising the other toward the left side. Lettering: HELVETIA A. BOVY
Reverse
The face value is surrounded by a branch of oak and another of gentian tied at the bottom by a ribbon. Lettering: 1/2 Fr. 1850
Collector insights
- Design heritage: Friedrich Fisch is credited as the designer. Designer attribution helps distinguish this issue from later restrikes or unofficial copies that reuse only the motif.
- Struck at: Monnaie de Paris, Paris. Confirm the mintmark on your example before comparing prices — same-year issues from different mints often trade at very different levels.
- Mintage vs. survival: A moderate mintage of 4,500,000. Grade rarity is usually the driver of value here — mid-grade circulated pieces are common, but original-surface uncirculated coins can command a strong premium.
- Precious metal content: Silver (.900) (10% copper) — bullion value provides a price floor, and many circulated examples were melted during the 1979–1980 and post-2010 silver spikes, reducing the surviving population.
- Catalogue reference: Listed as
HMZ 2#1205, Divo/Tob19#308, KM#8, Schön#20, Y#26. Use this reference code when cross-checking auction archives, dealer inventories, and standard printed catalogues.
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Explore more
Browse more items in the full catalog or view Switzerland in the country guide.