Liechtenstein: Micro-size Gold Coins Released To Mark 100 Years Of The Franc As National Currency

This year, the Principality of Liechtenstein celebrates the 100^th anniversary of the customs union which resulted in Swiss banknotes and coins becoming legal tender in Liechtenstein since 1924. Prior to the adoption of the Swiss Franc, the small principality sandwiched between Austria and Switzerland, the legal tender currency was Austrian Imperial Corona. After the dissolution of Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918 after the end of the First World War, the government of Liechtenstein no longer wanted to rely on Austria or its currency to fulfil their monetary and diplomatic needs. As such, Liechtenstein ceased the customs union that had existed between the two countries since 1852. Under the initiative of Prince and Governor Karl Aloys of Liechtenstein, kinsman of Sovereign Prince Johann II, he petitioned the Swiss Foreign Minister to begin negotiations for both a monetary and diplomatic union between the two countries. At the request of Liechtenstein's government in October 1919, Switzerland agreed to safeguard Liechtenstein's interests and citizens abroad and Liechtenstein agreed to adopt the Swiss franc in 1920. The last silver circulation-type coins issued by the Treasury of Liechtenstein denominated in Corona were dated 1915. The first coins minted as Franken for circulation were dated 1924 with the same design and effigy of the reigning Prince Johann II that had appeared on Corona-denominated coinage. The reverse designs were also similar, a crowned princely crest and bold numerals with a denotation of FR. A formal Customs Union was also created between the two countries in 1924 with open borders that exist to this day. The Treasury of Liechtenstein declined to produce circulation type coinage after that date with the exception of 10 and 20 Franken gold coins minted in 1930 and in small quantities. After that date, only commemorative type coinage has been minted to mark national or princely events and anniversaries.

The obverse side of the gold 10 Franken proof quality coins depict a centred image of the geographical outline of the principality, the River rhine which borders the country is shown to the left. In the background are patterns of the Swiss national cross to the left of the map’s outline and the princely crown of Liechtenstein seen to the right. The inscription along the rim and around the primary design reads 100 JAHRE SCHWEIZER FRANKEN IM FURSTENTUM LIECHTENSTEIN (100 years of the Swiss Franc in the principality of Liechtenstein) Below, the commemorative years 1924 – 2024. The design on the reverse side features the national and Princely crest centred with the text FURSTENTUM LIECHTENSTEIN along the upper rim and the denomination ZEHN FRANKEN placed below.

An extended range of commemorative gold and silver coins is available from Distributors Philatelie Liechtenstein, for additional information, please visit their e-webshop.