2 Francs Silver, pattern

Switzerland's federal coinage system was still being assembled in 1854, just three years after the Confederation established its mint authority under the 1850 Federal Coinage Act. Pattern strikes from this period were produced as the federal authorities worked through competing design proposals and weight standards, some of which were never adopted. The 9g weight recorded here does not match the 10g standard that was ultimately ratified for the circulating 2 Francs type, suggesting this piece was part of an exploratory series that predates the finalized specifications.

The dual Richter references — Pr2#44 and Pr2#45 — indicate at least two distinct die combinations are catalogued under this type.