SWITZERLAND. Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft (Swiss Confederation). 1848-present. 20 Franken 1873 (Gold, 21 mm, 6.43 g, 6 h), three-point-pattern ('Dreipunktprobe'), Brüssel (Brussels). HELVETIA Seated Helvetia facing left, holding sword in her right hand and resting her left on shield with Swiss cross, mountains and stump of an oak tree in background left and right, stars in an arc above. Rev. 20 Fr. / 1873 in two lines within oak and laurel wreath, one point above and one point below inscription, mint mark head of an angel above wreath. Richter (Proben) 2-72. HMZ 2-1228a. Rare. Mintage of only 1,000 pieces. Tiny hairlines and light fingerprints on the reverse, otherwise, extremely fine.
This pattern is commonly known as the ‘three-point-pattern,’ a designation derived from the mintmark - an angel’s head - placed above the wreath on the reverse, which may be interpreted as a third point. In the aftermath of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–1871, Switzerland faced a shortage of gold coinage. To alleviate the situation, 1,000 examples of these 20 Franc pieces were promptly ordered from Brussels. It appears likely that at least some of them subsequently entered circulation