1893, Switzerland (Confederation). Gold 20 Francs (20 Franken)
Mint Year: 1893 References: KM-31. Mintage: 100,000 pcs. Mint Place: Bern (Switzerland) Denomination: 20 Francs (20 Franken)
Material: Gold (.900) Diameter: 21mm Weight: 6.43gm
Obverse: Star above swiss shield splitting value (20-FR). Date (1893) below. All within wreath. Comment: Mint initial (B) below. Reverse:Female head wearing inscribed diadem wreath left. Legend: CONFOEDERATIO HELVETICA
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.