- From Bern: Swiss state coin
- Helvetia design: Edelweiss and Alps
- Historic piece: minted 1911 to 1922
- From BernMinted by the Swiss Federal Mint in Bern
- Helvetia designVerena with edelweiss collar before the Swiss Alps
- Historic pieceA piece of Swiss history from circulation currency
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Switzerland · 1911 to 1922
Vreneli.10 francs in gold.
The 10 francs coin joined in 1911 and was struck until 1922. It carries the same portrait as the 20 francs, on 19 millimetres.
- Fine gold
- 2.903 g
- Diameter
- 19 mm
- Fineness
- 900/1,000
The 10 francs coin joined in 1911 and was struck until 1922. It carries the same portrait as the 20 francs, on 19 millimetres.
- Fine gold
- 2.903 g
- Diameter
- 19 mm
- Fineness
- 900/1,000
The portrait
A young woman before the mountains.
Fritz-Ulysse Landry from Neuchâtel created the model. The name Vreneli, a pet form of Verena, was given to her by the people. It first appeared in print in 1943.
The value side
A cross in a ring of rays.
For the thin 10 francs coin, Landry created a value side of its own with little relief in the middle. That way both sides could be struck in full.
The story
Too young, said the jury.
In 1895 Switzerland was looking for a new coin design. Instead of the usual antique heads, Landry showed a young woman before the mountains. The jury found her too young, yet the Federal Council awarded him first prize.
The family
Three sizes, one face.
The Vreneli came as 10, 20 and 100 francs, all in gold with a fineness of 900 thousandths. Here you see all three in their true proportions.
The Alps in view.Switzerland in your hand.
Once struck to pay with. Today a piece of Switzerland to pass on.
Vreneli Gold 10 Francs: Helvetia with edelweiss from the Bern mint
- Motif: Helvetia with edelweiss on her collar in front of a panorama of the Alps, a symbol of Switzerland.
- Material / fineness: Gold with a fineness of 900/1,000: of the 3.23 g total weight, 2.9 g is pure precious metal.
- Manufacturer: the Federal Mint in Bern, known today as Swissmint.
- Denomination: 10 francs on a diameter of 19.00 mm, the smallest issue of the Vreneli series.
- Tradition: In Switzerland, the Vreneli remains a piece of national pride to this day.
For many investors and collectors, the Vreneli is the epitome of Swiss gold coins. Its name was given by popular usage: Vreneli is the Swiss diminutive of the first name Verena. The 10 francs issue bears the same image as the well-known Vreneli of 20 francs and combines Swiss coinage tradition with the lasting value of precious metal.
Helvetia, edelweiss and the Alps
The obverse shows Helvetia, the personification of Switzerland, as a young woman in profile. Her hair is braided, edelweiss blossoms adorn her collar, and behind her rise the peaks of the Alps. With edelweiss and mountains, the designers chose images that still stand for Switzerland today. The inscription HELVETIA is the Latin name of the country and goes back to the Celtic people of the Helvetii. The motif was designed by the medallist Fritz Landry. Besides the inscription, the product photo also shows the small dots that frame the edge of the coin like a string of pearls.
From the Federal Mint in Bern
The 10 francs issue was struck in Bern between 1911 and 1922. The Vreneli series itself had already begun in 1897 with the 20 francs coin; the smaller denomination was added later. To this day, the coins of Switzerland are produced at the Bern mint.
Your coin comes from former circulation and is graded as a used circulation coin in bank quality condition. Possible signs of wear tell of the time when this Vreneli was perfectly ordinary money. The year of minting is not specified.
Handy for provision and for passing on
The 10 francs Vreneli contains 2.9 g of fine gold, making it a light coin that lets you expand your gold holdings in small steps. In Switzerland, the Vreneli is traditionally a popular gift from godparents to their godchildren. This custom shows how well the coin is suited to passing on value to children or grandchildren. Because each piece stands on its own, you decide flexibly how many coins you keep and how many you pass on.
The fact that central banks are among the largest gold holders in the world shows how much trust gold enjoys as a reserve. The same principle applies to your private inflation hedge: gold preserves its value, even when trust in paper money fades. For crisis protection, the Vreneli also benefits from its fame, as it is recognised far beyond Switzerland. No VAT is charged on the Vreneli, because it counts as investment gold.
Profile of the 10 francs Vreneli
- Face value: 10 francs
- Fine weight: 2.9 g
- Gross weight: 3.23 g
- Fineness: 900/1,000
- Diameter: 19.00 mm
- Manufacturer: Federal Mint in Bern
- Country of origin: Switzerland
- Condition: Bank quality
Make the Vreneli Gold 10 Francs from Kettner Edelmetalle your first or next piece of Swiss gold.
Product depiction may differ from the final product.
