Swiss silver coins and investment
Guide to the most popular silver ounces in Switzerland (Maple Leaf, Philharmonic).
At a glanceSwiss silver coins bridge the worlds of historic numismatics (circulating pre-1968 coins in 835‰ silver) and modern 1 oz fine silver bullion (999‰). This guide explores weights, fine content, and real buyback rates across Switzerland.
Historic Swiss Circulating Silver Coins (Pre-1968)
Until 1967, the Federal Swiss Mint struck regular circulating coinage in an 835‰ silver alloy (83.5% pure silver). In 1968, soaring silver prices forced Switzerland to transition to copper-nickel:
| Coin | Minting Years | Total Gross Weight | Fine Silver Content (835‰) | Indicative Scrap Value (Spot CHF 1.00/g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2 Swiss Franc | 1875 – 1967 | 2.50 g | 2.088 g fine silver | CHF 1.80 – 2.30 |
| 1 Swiss Franc | 1875 – 1967 | 5.00 g | 4.175 g fine silver | CHF 3.60 – 4.50 |
| 2 Swiss Francs | 1874 – 1967 | 10.00 g | 8.350 g fine silver | CHF 7.20 – 9.00 |
| 5 Swiss Francs (Standing Helvetia) | 1931 – 1967 (and 1969B) | 15.00 g | 12.525 g fine silver | CHF 11.00 – 14.00 |
| 5 Swiss Francs Antique (Large) | 1850 – 1928 (900‰ silver) | 25.00 g | 22.500 g fine silver | CHF 22.00 – 35.00+ |
International 1 oz Fine Silver Bullion Coins (999‰)
For modern private wealth preservation, Swiss investors typically acquire 1 oz bullion coins:
- Vienna Philharmonic (Austria): 999.9‰ fineness, legal tender face value €1.50, highly liquid across Switzerland.
- Canadian Maple Leaf (Canada): 999.9‰ fineness, featuring laser-engraved Bullion DNA anti-counterfeiting technology.
- American Silver Eagle (USA): 999‰ fineness, the world's most widely traded silver bullion coin.
Frequently Asked Questions: Swiss Silver Coins
Can I spend pre-1968 silver 5 Francs in Swiss shops?
The Swiss National Bank demonetized silver coinage in 1971. However, their silver scrap value is more than double their 5 CHF face value, making spending them an economic mistake.
Why are pre-1968 Swiss coins favored for crisis barter?
They are instantly recognizable to every Swiss citizen, counterfeit-proof, and offer ideal fractional denominations.
Buy Investment Silver in High-Security Vaults
Buy and store physical gold in secure Zurich or Geneva vaults at direct live LBMA spot rates.
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