Basic Data:

• Country ISO Code: CH

• Official Language: German

• Language ISO Code: de

• Current Official Currency: Swiss Franc

• Current Currency ISO Code: CHF

Complete Financial History of the Swiss Franc and Swissmint:

Swiss Franc (CHF) – Current Official Currency

• Currency ISO Code: CHF

• Designs / Symbols: Coins feature the Swiss coat of arms, Swiss cross, and alpine motifs; banknotes depict cultural, scientific, and historical Swiss figures and bear signatures of the Swiss National Bank’s president and vice president. Common symbols include "Fr.", "SFr.", and "CHF".

• Singular Name: Franken

• Plural Name: Franken

• Monetary Subdivision: 1 Franken = 100 Rappen

• Fraction Name Singular: Rappen

• Fraction Name Plural: Rappen

• Initial Production Date: 1850

• End Production Date: still in circulation

• Initial Circulation Date: 1850

• End Circulation Date: still in circulation

• Mint: Swissmint (Eidgenössische Münzstätte), located in Bern since 1906

• Issuing Bank: Swiss National Bank (Schweizerische Nationalbank)

• Coin Denominations Currently Minted: 5, 10, 20 Rappen; ½, 1, 2, and 5 Franken

• Banknote Denominations Currently Issued: 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 1,000 Franken

Historical and Economic Context:

• The Swiss franc was introduced in 1850, shortly after the founding of the Swiss federal state in 1848, to unify the previously fragmented monetary system with over 860 different coins and banknotes circulating.

• Initially, coins were minted abroad, mainly in France, due to the lack of a Swiss mint.

• In 1855, the canton of Bern provided a former mint building at Gerberngraben, which served until it became too small.

• A new mint building, designed by Theodor Gohl in the Neo-Renaissance style, was completed in 1906 in Bern’s Kirchenfeldquartier, where Swissmint operates to this day.

• Swissmint is responsible for producing circulation coins, commemorative coins, and medals, as well as authenticating and destroying worn or damaged coins.

• Since 1936, Swissmint issues special commemorative coins, including the famous Goldvreneli 20-franc gold coins.

• The Swiss franc has maintained a reputation for stability, low inflation, and is considered a "safe haven" currency globally.

• Switzerland was part of the Latin Monetary Union (1865–1927), fixing its currency to a silver and gold standard.

• The franc was pegged to the US dollar under the Bretton Woods system until 1973, after which it floated freely.

Swissmint Details:

• Swissmint is a division of the Swiss Federal Finance Administration.

• The mint building is a protected cultural heritage site of national importance.

• Swissmint also produces collector coins and medals and performs coin authenticity checks.

• The mint’s history is closely linked to Swiss national history and monetary unification.

Summary of Coins and Banknotes Currently in Circulation:

This report summarizes the complete financial history of the Swiss franc, highlighting its introduction in 1850, the role of Swissmint in coin production since 1906, and the currency’s ongoing stability and significance.