877) Federal Shooting Festival, Switzerland celebrated with the release of Silver 50 Franc and Gold 500 Franc "Talers" or Medals that are valid during the duration of the Festival :(issue year 2019):

877) Federal Shooting Festival, Switzerland celebrated with the release of  Silver 50 Franc  and Gold 500 Franc  "Talers" or Medals that are valid during the duration of the Festival :(issue year 2019):

The Swiss tradition of marksmanship was established during the Old Swiss Confederacy in the 15th Century, when festival participants used cross-bows in shooting contests. 

The "Legend of William Tell" recalls the traditional shooting festival - a practice that continued into the 19th and 20th Centuries and included the issuance of commemorative medals or "Talers", that were valid during the festival.

In modern times, once every five years a Federal Shooting Festival brings more than 50,000 marksmen to demonstrate their shooting skills. In addition, smaller annual are also held in various places around Switzerland.

The Obverse and Reverse of the Gold and Silver Talers issued in 2018, presented against a mountain peak of the Swiss Alps

The Obverse and Reverse of the 500 Franc Gold Taler presented against the background of the Swiss Flag

The 2019 Federal Shooting Festival is scheduled to be held in Appenzell in June 2019.

Commemorative coin issues:

To commemorate this tradition of holding Federal Shooting Festivals, in 1984, a modern series of Swiss shooting Talers was started and gold and silver coins are issued under this on-going coin series ever since.

Now in its 35th year of issue, the Proof Silver 50 Franc medal nearly always sells out and has a mintage of 1,500 pieces for 2019 while only 200 gold medals of the denomination of  500 Franc Talers are being issued, which are a most sought after collector's item, as well.

The designs of the two medals are identical except for the expression of value.

The Reverse of the 50 Swiss Franc Silver Coin shows a pair of bears facing each other - one holding part of a tree limb. The bears are similar in appearance to the one on the Appenzeller Coat of Arms.

The Obverse of the 50 Swiss Franc Silver Coin shows two crossed rifles symbolising the shooting competition, the denomination of the medal "50 Fr.", a powder horn, a shooting bag and a wreath.

There is a legend on the upper periphery in both French and German (two of Switzerland's four official languages), which reads - "CONVERTIBLE A LA FETE DE TIR - EINLOSBAR AM SCHUTZENFEST" - which indicates that the Taler is convertible at the shooting festival.

The specifications of the Silver Taler Medal are:

Year: 2019; Metal Composition: .900 Fine Silver (Ag); Weight: 25.0 grams; Diameter/Size: 37.0 mm; Denomination: 50 Franc; Medal Quality: Proof; Mintage:1,500 pieces;  Country of issue: Switzerland.

The specifications of the Gold Taler Medal are:

Year: 2019; Metal Composition: .9999 Fine Gold; Weight: 15.567 grams or 1/2 Troy Ounce; Diameter/Size: 33.0 mm; Denomination: 500 Franc;  Medal Quality: Proof; Mintage: 200 pieces; Country of issue: Switzerland.










Some interesting posts on Coins and 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) 10 Franc Banknote issued by the Swiss National Bank wins the prestigious IBNS Award 2017

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

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

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

9) 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

10) 200 Franc Banknote: issued by the Swiss National Bank, Switzerland on 22.08.2018: Fourth of the six Banknotes in the Ninth Banknote Series being released by the Bank in a phased manner

11) 50 Franc Banknote issued by the Swiss National Bank, Switzerland, winner of the prestigious 2016 "International Banknote Society Award (IBNS)

12) Federal Shooting Festival, Switzerland celebrated with the release of Silver 50 Franc and Gold 500 Franc "Talers" or Medals that are valid during the duration of the Festival (issue year - 2019)