711) "La Suisse": Swiss Steamships Coin Series: A 20 Swiss Francs Silver Coin issued by the Swiss Federal Mint on 26.04.2018:

711) "La Suisse": Swiss Steamships Coin Series: A 20 Swiss Francs Silver Coin issued by the Swiss Federal Mint on 26.04.2018:

Some interesting posts of Coins/Banknotes from Switzerland on this blog:

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: The Third and Final coin in the Series issued in January 2018

4) A 10 Franc Banknote honouring Charles Edourd Jaenneret popularly known as Le Corbusier who designed the Modern Indian city of Chandigarh 

5) 50 Franc Banknote: issued by the Swiss National Bank, Switzerland in April 2016, winner of the prestigious 2016 "Banknote of the Year award" presented by the "International Bank Note Society" (IBNS)

6) 10 Franc Banknote issued by the Swiss National Bank wins the prestigious IBNS Award 2017

7) St. Bernard "Barry" (1800-1812): A commemorative 50 Francs Gold Coin issued by the Swiss Federal Mint on 14.09.2017

8) The Legend of William Tell depicted on a Gold 50 Francs Swiss Coin issued on 26.04.2018

9) "La Suisse": Swiss Steamships Coin Series: A 20 Francs Silver Coin issued on 26.04.2018:

10) Swiss Army Knife - 100th Anniversary of Karl Elsener's passing away (inventor of the original Swiss Army knife): A Silver 20 Franc Coin from the Swiss Federal Mint, commemorates the globally popular Swiss army knife: Coin issue date: 10.09.2018

The Swiss Federal Mint has brought out a new Silver 20 Swiss Francs coin in its "Swiss Steamships Coin Series" which commenced in 2017. (This is the second coin in the series after the first coin issued in 2017 featuring the Uri steamship).

The coin is dedicated to the La Suisse steamship which was first commissioned by Sulzer Brothers in 1908.

The Reverse of "La Suisse" steamship coin image as the ship looks today against a background of the four-masted one funnel steamship in its early days

When the ship was commissioned, the "Belle Epoque" euphoria in Switzerland had just peaked. (The "Belle Epoque"  or "La Belle Epoque" refers to a period dating  from the end of the Franco-Prussian War in 1871 to the outbreak of World war I in 1914. Occurring during the era of the French Third republic in 1870, it was a period characterised by optimism, regional peace, economic prosperity, an apex of colonial empires and technological, scientific and cultural innovations. In this conducive climate, particularly in Paris, the arts flourished. Many master-pieces of literature, music, theatre and visual arts gained recognition.

The "Belle Epoque" was so named in retrospect, when it was considered a "Golden Age" for Europe in contrast to the horrors of World War I).

The "La Suisse" paddle-wheel steamship was the largest and most elegant os all Swiss steamships, which was designed with this memorable and distinctive style.

The steamship could accommodate up to 850 passengers. It was 78.5 metres (or 257 feet) long by 15.9 metres (52 feet) wide and was powered by a sloping 1,400 horsepower (1,030 kilowatts) two-cylinder hot steam composite engine from Sulzer.

The steamboat received an award as a cultural monument of national importance and was declared a historical monument by the canton of Vaud in 2011.

Over the years, the steamboat has undergone several technical and structural changes:

In 1960, a switch took place from heating with coal to heavy fuel oil and changes were made to the curved decks on the main and upper decks.

In 1971, a new, cost-saving large boiler was installed along with a new wheel-house and a new side-entrance to the saloon.

In 1999, heating operation was changed from heavy fuel oil to light oil.

In 2003, the electrical infrastructure was partially refurbished.

Between 2007 and 2009, La Suisse was extensively renovated.

Present Day:

The 110 year old steamship navigates the "Haut-lac" part of Lake Geneva from Vevey to Thonon.

The Coin:

                     The Reverse of the Silver 20 Francs coin 

It shows the steamship "SS La Swisse" coursing through the waters of Lake Geneva. The name of the Reverse designer "U. COLOMBI".

                  The Obverse of the 20 Francs Silver coin

This face of the Coin includes the standard design with the issuing authority's name "CONFERERATIO HELVETICA", the year of issue "2018", and the denomination of the coin "20 FR" in a circular pattern.

The specifications of the coin are:

Denomination: 20 Swiss Francs; Coin image: "La Suisse" steamship; Metal Composition: .835 Silver (Ag); Weight: 20.0 grams; Diameter/Size: 33.0 mm; Coin Quality (Two variants) : Proof and Brilliant Uncirculated; Mintage: Proof) - 5,000 pieces, (BU) - 30,000 pieces; Designer: Ueli Colombi, Sigriswil; Year: 2018. Date of issue: 26.04.2018

The Brilliant Uncirculated variants are presented in a colourful blistering pack, with 1,000 pieces presented in a special limited edition folder

The Proof variant pieces are encapsulated and presented in custom-branded Swiss Mint boxes along with a Certificate of Authenticity (COA).