1186) 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: 2020:

1186) 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: 2020:

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 includedthe 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 festivals are also held in various places around Switzerland. 

In 2020, the Federal Shooting Festival is being held in Lucerne from 12.06.2020 to 12.07.2020. 

Commemorative Coins/medals 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 36th year of issue, the Proof silver 50 Franc medal nearly always sells out and has a mintage of 1,000 pieces for 2020, while only 125 gold medals of the denomination of 500 Franc Talers are being issued, which are most sought after collector's items as well.

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

The Obverse and Reverse of the 500 Franc Gold Taler 

The Obverse of the 500 Taler Gold Coin shows a pair of allegorical goddesses with a lion. Helvetia (representing the Swiss Confederacy) is seated, a sword in her left hand, while her right hand rests on the Swiss Coat of Arms. At right is a female figure representing Lucerne, holding a rifle, with the cantonal Arms placed behind her.

The Reverse of the 500 Taler Gold Coin shows the face value "500 Fr." within a wreath, with crossed rifles, a powder horn and a shooting bag below. 

On the outer periphery is a legend in both French and German - "CONVERTIBLE A LA FETE DE TIR EINLOSBAR AM SCHUTZENFEST" (meaning that this Taler/Coin is "convertible at the shooting festival").

The specifications of the Gold Taler Medal are:

Year: 2020; Metal Composition: .9999 Fineness Gold; Weight: 15.567 grams or 1/2 Troy Ounce; Diameter/Size: 33.0 mm; Denomination: 500 Franc; Medal Quality: Proof; Mintage: 125 pieces; Country of issue: Switzerland.

The Obverse and Reverse of the 50 Franc Silver Taler, which are similar in appearance/design to the 500 Taler Gold Coin

The specifications of the Silver Taler Medal are:

Year: 2020; Metal Composition: .900 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 25.0 grams; Diameter/Size: 37.0 mm; Denomination: 50 Franc; Medal Quality: Proof; Mintage: 1,000 pieces; Country of issue: Switzerland.







Some other 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)

13) 100 years of the Swiss National Circus - "Knie" celebrated with the issue os 20 Swiss francs coin from the Swiss Mint stable (2019): Issue date: 24.01.2019

14) The Gotthard Base Tunnel (GBT): A Silver 20 Swiss Francs Coin issued by the Swiss Mint at their facility in Bern in 2016, commemorating the opening of the largest railway and deepest traffic tunnel in the world

15) "Crocodile" Locomotives, Switzerland: Centenary Celebration: Swiss Mint issues a 50 Francs Commemorative Gold Coin: Coin release date: 09.05.2019

16) "The Art of Brewing Beer" Stamp, Swiss Post: A set of two Stamps depicting two varieties of Beer, popular in Switzerland, issued by Swiss Post: Date of issue: 05.09.2019

17) Roger Federer, Switzerland: A 20 Francs Silver Coin issued by the Federal Swiss Mint commemorating the achievements of the legendary Tennis Player: Coin issue date: 23.01.2020

18) Edelweiss (Mountain Star), Swiss Alps, Mongolia: minted under the series titled "Numismatic Sculptures": CommemorativeGold Coins of 1000 Togrog and Silver Coins of 500 Togrog issued by Coin Invest Trust (CIT) and minted by B.H. Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt, Munich for Mongolia

19) 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: 2020