1885 French 20 Something

Leiana

I have been searching through a bag of foriegn coins for my dad's friend and I think this is the only one that might be worth more than a couple bucks at most. It's in VF conditon. Can anybody tell me more about this, please? Thank you.

-Amanda

harasha

I am using a 1995 Krause, but I do not see a 20 Centimes piece for1885. Maybe looking in the wrong place.
Maybe it is from one of the Colonies, like French Indo-China?

Leiana

Well, all it says on the reverse is 20, so I just assumed it was centimes.

-Amanda

ajaan

I think it probably Swiss. What is on the obverse?

Leiana

It says "Confoederatio Helvetica" with a Lady with a tiara that says "Libertas"

-Amanda

Scioto

For that date and description I'd say it's Swiss. Probably 20 Rappen. Obverse shows right facing bust with Confederatio Helvetica and Date?

Made of nickel with 3,000,000 minted.

Scioto

Look for a B mint mark. Minted in Bern. A little smaller than a U.S. Five Cent coin.

Leiana

That's what it is! It's the oldest coin in a whole bunch that I was asked to evaluate. Most everything else is worth less than a dollar a piece. Thanks very much for the info!

-Amanda

Scioto

That design is unchanged from it's introduction in 1881.
And there has been only one change in metal; from nickel to copper-nickel alloy in 1939.

edited because i thought something that wasn't correct.

kuhli

<< <i>That design is unchanged from it's introduction in 1881 up to the time of the Swiss conversion to the Euro.
And there has been only one change in metal; from nickel to copper-nickel alloy in 1939. >>



Switzerland has never converted to the Euro, and the rappen coinage is still in use.

Scioto

I stand corrected and have changed my post.

Leiana

Thanks for the info!

-Amanda