SWITZERLAND. Swiss Confederation. 1848-present. 20 francs 1873 (gold, 21 mm, 6.43 g, 6 h), three-point pattern ('three-point sample'), Brussels (Brussels). HELVETIA Seated Helvetia facing left, holding word 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 weather, one point above and one point below description, mint mark head of an angel above weather. Judge (samples) 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, In the aftermath of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–1871, Switzerland faced a breed of gold coinage. To alleviate the situation, 1,000 examples of these 20 Franc pieces were immediately ordered from Brussels. It appears likely that at least some of them subsequently entered circulation This lot can be shipped to a US address.