The 16-Franken denomination is peculiar to Graubünden and reflects the canton's awkward monetary position during the Napoleonic reorganization of Swiss coinage. Sixteen francs corresponded to one old Grisons Duplone, preserving continuity with the pre-Helvetic accounting system while nominally conforming to the franc-denominated republic. By 1813 the canton was minting its own gold for what would prove to be the last time — federal monetary consolidation would soon render cantonal gold issues obsolete.
The 16-Franken denomination is peculiar to Graubünden and reflects the canton's awkward monetary position during the Napoleonic reorganization of Swiss coinage. Sixteen francs corresponded to one old Grisons Duplone, preserving continuity with the pre-Helvetic accounting system while nominally conforming to the franc-denominated republic. By 1813 the canton was minting its own gold for what would prove to be the last time — federal monetary consolidation would soon render cantonal gold issues obsolete.