After World War I (1914-1918) the world silver prices started to soar. With it rose the value of Swiss money which still contained a good amount of silver at that time. Swiss silver coins were soon worth more for their silver than for their face values. In 1920 silver 5-franc-coins could be sold for almost 6 francs. As a result the Swiss silver coins quickly disappeared from circulation as they were molten and sold at silver value, or hoarded under people's matrasses.
Soon Switzerland suffered from a severe lack of coin money.
To counter the shortage of silver coins the Swiss government in 1922 ordered the output of 5-franc-coins with a lower silver content. The new 5 francs were distinguished from their forerunners by different motifs – instead of the head of Helvetia they now featured a Swiss dairyman. He is depicted on the Swiss 5 franc-coins up to this day.