Swiss 20 Franc Gold Coin (Helvetia Or Vreneli) Minted 1897 - 1935

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Swiss 20 Franc Swiss 20 Franc gold coin (Helvetia or Vreneli) Minted 1897 - 1935 Helvetia is now known as a western region in Switzerland, but it once referred to the entire country. Julius Caesar conquered the Helvetii for the Roman Empire in 58 B.C. The name sustained its pace through the beginning of the 19th Century, and the country was named the Helvetian Republic in 1798 during Napoleon's rule over the region. Once Napoleon was defeated, the Congress of Vienna recognized Switzerland's sovereign nature. From this point on, Switzerland has remained neutral since its creation by the Congress of Vienna in 1815, and has long been backing its currency with large quantities of gold. The Swiss 20 franc gold coin 'Helvetia' is one of the most popular pre-1933 European gold coins, often referred to as the "Vreneli" derived from "Verena" which is Switzerland's equivalent to the United States Lady Liberty. Modeled by Francoise Engli, this female portrait appears on the obverse of the gold coin. With braided hair, she wears a garland of flowers and appears against the background of the Swiss Alps, with the word "Helvetia" written above her head. On the reverse the coin features the Swiss Cross surrounded by a shield, over a background of an oak branch tied with ribbons. The denomination 20 FR and the date also appear on this side. Swiss Confederatio 20 Franc gold coin Minted 1883 - 1896 In 1865, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Italy, Spain and Finland set up the Latin Monetary Union, to establish a uniform decimal weight system for all coinage, modeled after the 20 Franc in use at the time in France, as to foster free trade. All coins, were to contain the specific weight of .1867 oz pure gold per 20 units of currency. The Latin Monetary Union remained effective until 1922, coming to an end in the aftermath of World War I. However, several countries continued to mint coinage by this specific weight. .

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