© Münzzentrum Rheinland
© Münzzentrum Rheinland
5 Francs Battle of Saint Jakob an der Birs
1944 year| Silver (.835) (16.5% copper) | 15 g | 31 mm |
| Issuer | Switzerland › Switzerland (1848-date) |
|---|---|
| Period | Federal State (1848-date) |
| Type | Non-circulating coin |
| Year | 1944 |
| Value | 5 Francs (5 CHF) |
| 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 | 2024-10-07 |
| Numista | N#12905 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 35% |
Reverse
Swiss cross surrounded by legend.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
5 FR
MORI MALUNT QUAM SUPERARI
ST. JAKOB
AN DER BIRS
MCDXLIV
B
1944
Designer: Emil Wiederkehr
Edge
starred
Lettering: ★★★ DOMINUS PROVIDEBIT ★★★★★★★★★★
Comment
The Battle of St. Jakob an der Birs was fought between the Old Swiss Confederacy and French (mostly Armagnac) mercenaries, on the banks of river Birs, near Münchenstein, just outside the city walls of Basel, today within Basel's St-Alban district. The battle took place on 26 August 1444 and was part of the Old Zurich War.Aeneas Silvius Piccolomini described that during the battle, the Swiss ripped bloody crossbow bolts from their bodies and charged the enemy even after being wounded by spears or having lost their hands. Eventually, the Swiss army weakened and retreated into the small hospital of Saint Jakob, where the Armagnac troops defeated them.
The battle was a devastating defeat for the Swiss, but a strategic success. Due to the heavy casualties sustained, the French gave up advancing towards Zurich and turned back, contributing to the eventual Swiss victory in the Old Zurich War.
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the Non-circulating coin 5 Francs (Battle of Saint Jakob an der Birs) 1944 from Switzerland is that it was minted to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Saint Jakob an der Birs, which took place in 1444 during the Old Swiss Confederacy. The coin's design features a depiction of the battle on one side and the Swiss coat of arms on the other. It was minted in a limited quantity of 50,000 pieces and is considered a rare and valuable collector's item among numismatists.
Price
| Date | Mintage | VG | F | VF | XF | AU | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1944 B | 101680 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Values in the table are based on evaluations by sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only for 5 Francs (Battle of Saint Jakob an der Birs) 1944 coin.
