Money in the form of coins has been around for centuries, but not all old coins are locked away in museums. Some coins, which have been around for a long time, are still used as legal currency today.
Before you start searching through your pockets for a rare old coin, like a Buffalo nickel, know that the oldest coin still in use today isn’t from the U.S. – it’s from Switzerland.
Switzerland is known for its banking system, but it also holds the record for the oldest coin design still in use. In 2021, the Guinness Book of World Records named Switzerland’s 10 centimes coin, minted since 1879, as the oldest coin design still in circulation.
The coin’s design hasn’t changed since then, even though newer versions are still being produced.
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A Classic Design with Meaning
The design of the 10-centimes coin was created by Karl Schwenzer in 1879. Schwenzer, who was already experienced in coin design, put together a coin that features the profile of Liberty on one side, with the words “CONFŒDERATIO HELVETICA” surrounding her.
This phrase is the Latin name for the Swiss Confederation. On the flip side, the number “10” is surrounded by oak branches, symbolizing strength.
Over the years, the materials used to make the coin have changed slightly. While it was briefly made of pure nickel in the 1930s, the coin has mostly been produced using cupronickel, a metal known for its durability and resistance to wear.
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History and Importance
Switzerland, famous for its mountains, chocolates, and watches, has a deep history of neutrality. For a long time, the country operated as a series of independent regions, each with its own rules and systems.
However, after going through internal conflicts and external invasions, the country unified in 1848, forming a federal state. By 1850, Switzerland introduced a single currency, which became a symbol of its unity.
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The 10-centimes coin may not have much buying power today – it’s worth about 10 cents in U.S. currency – but it holds significant historical value. It represents Switzerland’s journey towards unification and its place in the world today as a symbol of wealth, tourism, and stability.