A little Swiss money history. Modern Switzerland as we know it really started in 1848 as the Switzerland Federation. First coins and currency printed/minted by this federation 1850. Pegged to the French Franc. In 1865 the Latin Monetary Union established between four European countries (France, Italy, Belgium and Switzerland). So the modern Euro currency, was not the first attempt at a European standard currency. Post World War I, the Swiss government make it a law, that their currency be backed by a minimum of 40% gold backing. This is when the Swiss Franc becomes a "safe haven currency" for money investors. 1936 the Swiss Franc has it's only devaluation by 30% (the world is in the middle of a world depression & war is breaking out globally). 1945 the Swiss join the "Brenton Woods System" essentially pegging the Swiss Franc to the U.S. dollar. In 2000 the Swiss lower the backing of their currency to gold down to 20%. From then 2005 they sell off half of their gold holdings. In 2007 the $hit hits the fan for all of us and the printing press rolls on!
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