Coming from somewhere where decimalisation and coin redesign means that I've never really had old coins before, it facinates me when I get an old coin in my change and it gets me thinking about what it could have bought in its lifetime.

I'm currently the proud owner of a 1959 20 rappen coin (until I go for a coffee).

Does anyone have an idea what 20 Rp would have bought in 1959?

There must be some old chaps and chapesses out there who can get all nostalgic on me.

Cheap hooker on Langstrasse?

Awaiting Wolli.......

I've always seen this as a sign of the CHF's stability... conveniently forgetting, or course, decimalisation (or is that decimation ) in the UK and the Euro's introduction in the rest of the EU

Heh, I still have the 1909 20rp coin in my wallet, keeping it a as good luck charm.

I'm always amazed at how many 1968 coins I come across. Maybe that number just jumps out as it was a big year, but I do notice a lot of them.

Saddo

*skulks off to inspect wallet*


Edit: My oldest coin is a 1952 20 Rp

According to my mother you could have bought a "Weggli" or a "Schwöbli (a roll) for 20 Rp, a croissant for 40 Rp, 1 pound of bread for 75 Rp, a Cervelat for 50 Rp, and a "Stange" (3.33 dl) Beer in a Restaurant for 60 Rp

Not really that much then. I was expecting a trip to the cinema and bratwurst and chips on the way home or something.

Is it a commemorative coronation edition?

It seems that with a bit of spit and polish, my 20 Rp could be worth 2 Euro

http://www.hallo-loi.de/schweizer-mu...-muenzen-1.htm

Food was far more expensive in Switzerland in those days, according to my Swiss history buff friend. Apparently 50% of one's income went to food. I have some salary sheets from the 50's here out of a watchmaking firm, and converting up to modern value folks earned quite a bit less too.

Let's have less spit and more polish, heh? This is a family-friendly web-site after all...

If you want more Polish may I suggest a visit to England?

Hah! Mine is worth 12.

Oooh I just found a 1908 2 CHF coin

Were the coins not silver (part-silver) at some point? I have an old 5CHF coin that is tarnished like silver tarnishes. I forget the year, I have to check. It is far pre-WWII. When I received it from my aunt 20 years ago I thought I would never even see Switzerland, now.....

Yes they are. Pretty simple test is: If you coin falls through some vending machine on the first attempt, it is often an old one...

Or you could just look at the date?

i have a 1 rappen coin in my wallet

You're into Wollishofener territory on that one bud, I wasn't born then. But pull up a chair and I'm sure Wolli will delight in telling you about Sugus, Ovomaltine and Sinalco from way back when.....