Switzerland (Confederation). Gold 20 Francs Coin.
Mint Year: 1914 Mint Place: Bern (B) References: KM-35.1. Denomination: 20 Francs Material: Gold (.900) Diameter: 21mm Weight: 6.45gm
Obverse: Young female bust (personification of Switzerland) wearing decorated vest left. Mountains in background. Legend: HELVETIA
Reverse: Shield with swiss coat-of-arms (white cross on red background) on oak-wreath. Value (20-FR) split in fields, date (1914) and mint initial (B) below.
The rise of Switzerland as a federal state began on September 12, 1848, with the creation of a federal constitution, which was created in response to a 27-day civil war in Switzerland, the Sonderbundskrieg. The constitution, which was heavily influenced by the US Constitution and the ideas of the French Revolution, was modified several times during the following decades and wholly replaced in 1999. The constitution represents the first time that the Swiss were governed by a strong central government instead of being simply a collection of independent cantons bound by treaties.