492)
Alpine Gentian: “Flora Alpina” Series:
The second coin in the Series issued by the Federal Mint Swissmint in January 2017
features the popular Gentian flower:
Every year, the Federal
Mint Swissmint issues a small number of commemorative coins featuring some
carefully selected themes/subjects. The coins minted in bimetal, silver and
gold qualities bear an official nominal value, but are offered as Collector’s
pieces.
This 2017 Switzerland
10 Franc Bimetallic coin, is the second coin in the “Flora Alpina” three Coin Series, issued on 26.01.2017 and
features the “Alpen Gentian”,
which is an Alpine Flower of
Switzerland.
The other two themes included in this 3
coin Alpine Flower Series are Edelweiss and Silver Thistle. The
first coin depicting the “Edelweiss”
was issued in 2016, while the third and last coin in the Series
featuring the “Alpen-rose”
will be issued in 2018.
About
the Gentian flower:
Each year, the unique
Alpine Flora attracts countless visitors to the mountains. The mountain spring
is particularly impressive. While the snow fields gradually melt away, everywhere
plants are blossoming and sprouting. Particularly eye-catching in this display
of colours is the deep blue of the Gentian.
Together with the Edelweiss
and Alpine Rose, it is one of the most popular Alpine flowers.
Gentian is a plant species
from the Gentian family (Gentianaceae).
The 300 to 400 plant species which are found almost all over the world
are predominantly indigenous to the temperate climate zones of the Northern
hemisphere and also in the Andes.
Gentian is commonly
understood to mean the “stemless Gentian” of which there are several sub-species.
The most well known are the frequently occurring species “Clusius’ Gentian” (Gentana
clusii or limestone Gentian) and the stemless or “Koch’s Gentian” (Gentiana
acaulis or Silicaceous Gentian). Somewhat less well known is the “Gentian alpina” occurring more
rarely and mainly in Valais and southern Switzerland. In contrast to the “Clusius’ Gentian” which grows in
limestone rich soil, the “Koch’s Gentian”
and the “Gentian alpina” need soil with
silicate.
The two most widespread
short-stemmed bell-shaped Gentians - “Clusius’ Gentian” and “Koch’s Gentian” are very similar
and because of this get muddled up with each other by mountain goers.
Nevertheless, there is a striking distinctive feature – on the corolla of the “Koch’s Gentian”, there are five
regularly spaced green stripes which are absent in the “Clusius’ Gentian”. Also, the blue in the latter is thereby much
more vivid.
The
root of the Gentian flower is an ingredient in many beverages and is a common
flavouring for bitters.
The
Commemorative Coin featuring the “Alpen
Gentian” (or the “Gentian Flower”):
The Reverse of the bimetallic
10 Franc Coin
The Reverse of the bimetallic
10 Franc Coin features three Gentian flowers arranged at
different angles with the strike crossing both the copper-nickel centre disc
and the Aluminium bronze outer ring of the bimetallic coin.
Along the lower periphery
of the coin on the outer ring is mentioned “FLORA ALPINA” (the name of
the three coin Series which translates into “Alpine Flower”). Towards the right
periphery is the inscription “LEIBUNDGUT” (standing for the name of the Coin’s
Engraver: Jenny Leibundgut).
The Obverse of the bimetallic
10 Franc Coin
The Obverse of the bimetallic
10 Franc Coin features a clean face, dominated by inscriptions “CONFOEDERATIO
HELVETICA” (meaning “Confederation Helvetica” or “Helvetic Confederation”
which is Switzerland’s official name) which is displayed across two lines of
curved text, with “CONFOEDERATIO” appearing on the centre to upper periphery of
the outer ring and “HELVETICA” appearing on the upper edge of the centre-piece.
Just below the “H” of Helvetica are the iconic Swiss Cross and the
denominational value of the coin in numerals “10”, below which is the mint mark
of the Bern Mint “B”. On the outer ring is mentioned “FR” which references the
coin’s Franc denomination. To its right towards the right periphery is the year
of issue “2017”.
The
specifications of this coin are:
Country
of issue: Switzerland; Year: 2017; Denominational
value: 10 Franken (or 10 Franc); Mint
Mark: “B” (Bern); Coin
Quality: Uncirculated and Proof; Mintage: 29,000 (Uncirculated
pieces) and 5,500 Proof pieces); Metallic
Composition/Alloy: Bi-metallic:
Outer Ring: Aluminium Bronze:
92% Copper, 6% Aluminium, 2% Nickel; Centre
piece: Copper-Nickel: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel; Weight: 15.0 grams; Diameter/Size:
33.0 mm; Thickness: 2.5 mm; Shape: Round; Edge: Milled; Orientation: Medal Alignment. Issuing Mint: Federal Mint
Swissmint. Coin’s Engraver:
Jenny Leibundgut.
The Proof coin is being
showcased in a presentation case.
Links to posts on the "Flora Alpina" Series and other interesting posts from Switzerland on Coins and Banknotes:
1) Alpine Edelweiss: "Flora Alpina" Series: The first coin in the Series issued in January 2016
2) Alpine Gentian: "Flora Alpine" Series: The Second Coin in the Series issued in January 2017
3) Alpine Carline Thistle: "Flora Alpine Series": Third and Final coin in the Series issued on 25.01.2018
Links to posts on the "Flora Alpina" Series and other interesting posts from Switzerland on Coins and Banknotes:
1) Alpine Edelweiss: "Flora Alpina" Series: The first coin in the Series issued in January 2016
2) Alpine Gentian: "Flora Alpine" Series: The Second Coin in the Series issued in January 2017
3) Alpine Carline Thistle: "Flora Alpine Series": Third and Final coin in the Series issued on 25.01.2018
