To mark its centenary, the Pro Patria foundation is receiving a special gift from the Swiss Confederation: the official 2009 gold coin. The commemorative coin was designed by the artist Hans Erni.
Like Pro Patria, Erni celebrates his 100th birthday in 2009. The subject he has chosen for the gold coin is a couple "facing the future with confidence," as Hans Erni describes it. It is intended to symbolise trust in a peaceful future.
The Swiss Mint provides the following background and information: In 1909, a small group of patriotic and charitably minded personalities led by the St. Gallen businessman Albert Schuster initiated the "Swiss National Day Donation". Its guiding idea was to mark the Swiss National Day with a collective act by the population...
Full Article: Pro Patria Commemorated with Swiss Gold Coin
The latest bimetallic coin within the Swiss National Park commemorative series was issued Friday, according to a statement by the Federal Mint Swissmint. The third and second to last coin in the park series depicts the Red Deer, which was close to extinction by 1850 and has since rebounded.
The outer ring of the coin is made of aluminum-bronze and the inner core from copper-nickel. The Red Deer is portrayed within the inner circle of the reverse as its antler tips reach toward to the outer rim.
Full Article: Swiss National Park Commemorative for Red Deer - Coin News
Federal Mint Swissmint has launched a new Swiss commemorative gold coin entitled "International Year of Planet Earth 2008." The 11.29 gram coin is sold in proof quality only, limited in issuance to 6,000 and is priced at CHF 440.00 (~$423.00 US)
The 60th United Nations General Assembly in New York proclaimed this year to be the United Nations International Year of Planet Earth, with a goal "to show, in a unique and inspiring manner, how earth sciences can help future generations measure up to the challenge of creating a safer and more prosperous world."
Entire article: Swiss issues ‘Year of Planet’ gold commemorative coin - CoinNews
Federal Mint Swissmint has launched a new several year commemorative coin series celebrating historical mountain railways. The first commemorative out of the gate is the 20 Swiss franc silver coin, the "Vitznau-Rigi Railway," honoring Europe’s first mountain railway.
Artist Benno K. Zehnder designed the coin and portrays the cog railway on the Rigi in the form of a playing card. Separated by letters ascending to the right is a modern railway engine and under the "Vitznau-Rigi Railway" heading is a historical steam engine.
Entire article: Swiss Silver Commemorative Coin “Vitznau-Rigi Railway” - CoinNews
