5 Francs Herdsman; silver; small type

Reverse

Coat of arms of Switzerland on square shield. Edelweiss (Leontopodium nivale) branch with four flowers to the left. Rusty-leaved alpenrose (Rhododendron ferrugineum) branch with flowers in right field.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
5 FR.
1937
B

Engraver: Paul Burkhard

Edge

Embossed lettering.

Lettering: 🟉🟉🟉 DOMINUS | PROVIDEBIT | 🟉🟉🟉🟉🟉🟉🟉🟉🟉🟉 |

Translation: The Lord Will Provide

Comment

Switch from silver to copper-nickel in 1968
In 1967, the price of silver soared steeply, reaching 260 francs per kilogram in August and 350 francs per kilogram in March 1968. At this time, the melt value of the 1⁄2, 1, and 2 franc pieces was circa 46% higher than their nominal value. Nevertheless, the nominal value of the 5 franc coin continued to stay slightly above its melt value of 4.38 francs. Switzerland started to experience a severe shortage of cash, due to the 1⁄2, 1, and 2 franc pieces being illegally melted. To a certain extend, the number of 5 franc pieces in circulation also dropped, due to hoarding. To alleviate the crisis, the federal council switched to a copper-nickel alloy for the 1⁄2, 1, and 2 franc pieces in 1968.

1969 silver issue
The federal council secretly approved the minting of copper-nickel 5 franc pieces as well, but initially concealed the 33 871 000 pieces minted in 1968. Officially, 5 532 000 silver pieces were reported for 1967. To avoid a further shortage of cash, the Swiss mint produced an additional 8 285 000 silver pieces in 1968, but dated 1967, and 8 637 000 silver pieces in 1969, after which, the copper-nickel pieces dated 1968 were finally released into circulation.

Varieties:
Edge variety 1
Dates: 1931 - 1969
Edge lettering starts at 6 o'clock: 🟉🟉🟉 DOMINUS | PROVIDEBIT | 🟉🟉🟉🟉🟉🟉🟉🟉🟉🟉 |