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:

Swiss Franc (CHF) – Current Official Currency

• Currency ISO Code: CHF

• Designs / Symbols: Coins feature the Swiss coat of arms, the 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), Bern

• 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:

• Prior to the Swiss franc’s introduction, Switzerland had over 800 different coins and banknotes circulating, minted by about 75 different entities, causing monetary confusion.

• The Swiss franc was first introduced in 1798 by the Helvetic Republic but became the sole legal tender nationwide only in 1850, replacing all previous currencies.

• The 1848 Swiss Federal Constitution centralized the right to issue currency exclusively to the federal government.

• The Federal Coinage Act of May 7, 1850, formally established the Swiss franc as the national currency, initially pegged at 4⅓ French francs.

• Switzerland joined the Latin Monetary Union in 1865, linking its currency to a gold and silver standard until the union dissolved in the 1920s.

• The Swiss franc was devalued by about 30% during the Great Depression in 1936.

• From 1945, the franc was pegged to the US dollar under the Bretton Woods system until 1975, when Switzerland adopted a floating exchange rate.

• The Swiss franc is renowned for its stability, low inflation, and status as a safe haven currency during political and economic crises worldwide.

• Switzerland’s neutrality and strong financial institutions contribute to the franc’s global reputation and investor confidence.

Mint and Production Details:

• Swissmint, located in Bern since 1906, is responsible for minting circulation and commemorative coins, as well as authenticating and recycling coins.

• Early coins were minted abroad in Paris, Strasbourg, and Brussels before Swissmint was established.

Commemorative Coins and Curiosities:

• Swissmint issues commemorative gold and silver coins celebrating national events, personalities, and cultural heritage.

• The Swiss franc is also legal tender in Liechtenstein and the Italian exclave of Campione d’Italia.

Current Circulation Status:

• The Swiss franc remains the official currency of Switzerland and is in active circulation.

Issuing Authority:

• The Swiss National Bank is the sole authority for issuing banknotes and managing monetary policy.

Summary of Coins and Banknotes Currently in Circulation:

This report outlines the Swiss franc’s history from its introduction in 1850 to its current status as a stable, internationally respected currency, highlighting its production, economic context, and role as a safe haven asset.