5 Francs (Anniversary of the Confederation) ND (1941) front 5 Francs (Anniversary of the Confederation) ND (1941) back
5 Francs (Anniversary of the Confederation) ND (1941) photo
© Heritage Auctions

5 Francs Anniversary of the Confederation ND

1941 year
Silver (.835) (16.5% copper) 15 g 31 mm
Description
Issuer
Switzerland › Switzerland (1848-date)
Period
Federal State (1848-date)
Type
Non-circulating coin
Year
1941
Value
5 Francs (5&nbspCHF)
Currency
Franc (1850-date)
Composition
Silver (.835) (16.5% copper)
Weight
15 g
Diameter
31 mm
Shape
Round
Technique
Milled
Orientation
Coin alignment ↑↓
Demonetized
1 April 1971
Updated
2024-10-08
References
Numista
N#12903
Rarity index
35%

Reverse

Swiss cross surrounded by legend in six lines.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
5 FR.
1291 1941
PROMISERVNT
INVICEM SIBI
ASSISTERE
AVXILIO
B

Translation: They have promised to assist.

Designer: Luc Jaggi

Edge

Lettering: ★★★ DOMINUS PROVIDEBIT ★★★★★★★★★★

Comment

The oath depicted on the obverse of the coin ("Rütlischwur" in German), is the legendary oath taken by the representatives of the three founding cantons, Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden. It is named for the location where it took place, Rütli, a meadow above Lake Uri, near Seelisberg. The three oath-takers were Wilhelm Tell from Uri, Stouffacher from Schwytz, and Erni from Underwalden. The scene on the obverse was first depicted on a thaler issued around 1546 and designed by medallist Jacob Stampfer, which dates the event to 1296. In Ernst Suter's interpretation, the figure on the left is holding a rifle representing the modern date, while the figure on the right is holding a crossbow, representing the date of the event.

The Latin inscription on the reverse is a quote from the founding document of the Swiss Confederation.

The Federal Charter or Letter of Alliance ("Bundesbrief" in German) is one of the earliest constitutional documents of Switzerland. A treaty of alliance from 1291 between the cantons of Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden, the Charter is one of a series of alliances from which the Old Swiss Confederacy emerged. The Charter is considered the founding document of Switzerland. The Charter confirms the Eternal Alliance or League of the Three Forest Cantons ("Ewiger Bund der Drei Waldstätten" in German), three cantons in modern-day central Switzerland. It is dated to early August 1291. The date of the Swiss National Day, 1 August, commemorates this event. Written in Latin, the Charter makes reference to a previous (lost or unwritten) pact.

Interesting fact

One interesting fact about this coin is that it was minted during World War II, specifically in 1941, and it features an image of the Swiss Confederation's coat of arms on one side and the anniversary date on the other. Despite being made of silver, the coin was not meant for circulation and was instead produced as a commemorative piece to mark the anniversary of the Confederation.

Price

Date Mintage VG F VF XF AU UNC
ND (1941) B 100150 - - - - - -

Values in the table are based on evaluations by sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only for 5 Francs (Anniversary of the Confederation) ND (1941) coin.