The 20-Franc Swiss gold coin, often shortened to ‘Swiss Gold Franc’ was in regular mintage from 1897 through 1936, with additional mintages in 1947 and 1949. The coin is also called the 20-Franc Vreneli, a vernacular term for Swiss coinage, and the 20-Franc Helvetia, after its design.

The obverse bears an exquisite portrayal of Helvetia, the female personification of Switzerland. Her soft features, braided hair, and garland of flowers reflect the beauty of the Alps behind her. Above her head is the inscription “HELVETIA.”

The reverse portrays the Swiss Coat of Arms, the denomination (“20 FR”), the date, and the mark “B,” for the Bern mint.

Mintage of the Swiss Gold Franc ceased in 1936, when the currency fell victim to the Great Depression.

The Swiss Gold Franc is 90% fine gold and contains 0.1867 troy ounces of pure gold, roughly 50% more than the American Quarter Eagle. In testament to the country’s long-standing reputation for quality and fiscal strength, Gold Francs were widely held in reserve by European nations under the gold standard. To meet the demand, vast numbers of the 20-Franc coins were struck but never circulated, providing an abundant supply of coins in ‘new’ condition today.

The Swiss Gold Franc offers investors the beauty and history of fine rare gold coinage at near bullion gold prices. Due to its small size and high liquidity, the Franc is also ideal for a prudent reserve of universally accepted alternate currency. By definition, Francs minted prior to 1934 are deemed collectibles and therefore their trade is non-reportable to the IRS, and by precedent they would be exempt from another confiscation of private gold.