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Monday 31 August 2020

1465) Chocolates, Switzerland: A set of two stamps one depicting a cocoa pod and the other a Swiss chocolate issued by Swiss Post, symbolising the chocolate making process from beginning to end: Date of Stamp set issue: 03.09.2020:

1465) Chocolates, Switzerland: A set of two stamps one depicting a cocoa pod and the other a Swiss chocolate issued by Swiss Post, symbolising the chocolate making process from beginning to end: Date of Stamp set issue: 03.09.2020:

About Chocolates - from Bitter to Sweet:

Chocolates are an important symbol of Switzerland.

However, the journey from the fruit of the cacao tree to melt-in-the-mouth temptations is a long and interesting one.

The fruits, which grow in the tropics  are harvested twice a year and each fruit contains 20 to 30 initially white cocoa beans, which are dried after fermentation.

The raw cocoa is then cleaned, broken down, roasted and ground. The resulting cocoa mass is mixed with sugar and cocoa butter. This results in the basic ingredient for chocolate.

Milk chocolate is made by adding milk powder or condensed milk. Cocoa itself is anything but sweet.

The Aztec word "xocoatl" - the origin of the word chocolate, actually means "bitter water".

The Stamps:

The refinement process in making chocolates has been recognised in two special stamps.
The Two Stamps issued in the Set one depicting a cocoa pod and the other a chocolate slab which has been bitten into.
Two Blocks of Stamps (four each of the two variants).

The First Day Cover (FDC) shows a cocoa pod and a half eaten chocolate, at bottom left and the two Stamps issued in the set affixed at top right.

 The special Cancellation Handstamp/Postmark shows a Cocoa Pod in the centre and is of Bern Post Office and is dated - "03.09.2020".
Two First Day Covers (FDCs) bearing a single stamp of each variant cancelled with the special Handstamp/Postmark.
Two First Day Covers bearing a Block each of the two variants cancelled with the special Handstamp/Postmark.
A First Day Envelope (FDE).

A Full Sheet (FS) depicting one of the Stamp variants.

A Full Sheet (FS), CTO (Cancelled To Order) depicting one of the Stamp variants.

A Full Sheet (FS) depicting one of the Stamp variants.

A Full Sheet (FS), CTO (Cancelled To Order) depicting the second of the Stamp variants.

Technical Details:

Stamp issue date: 27.08.2020

Designer: The two motifs were designed by Berne-based graphic artist Karin Hanni.

Printer: Gutenberg AG, Schaan, Liechtenstein

Process: Offset

Colours: 4 Colours

Size: 33.0 mm x 28.0 mm




Some other interesting posts on Coins and Banknotes from Switzerland on this Blog:


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

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": Commemorative Gold 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

20) 200 Franc Banknote issued by the Swiss National Bank, Switzerland on 12.09.2019: Sixth and last of the six Banknotes in the Ninth Banknote Series released by the Bank in a phased manner

21) International Year of Plant Health, Switzerland: A Postage Stamp of CHF 0.85 issued by Swiss Post depicting a Japanese beetle eating a healthy plant leaf: Date os stamp issue: 05.03.2020

22) "Social Diversity": Liechtenstein - Switzerland: A Joint Stamp Issue of two stamps by Liechteinische Post and Swiss Post of CHF 1.00 and CHF 0.85: Stamp issue Date: 14.11.2019

23) Orell Fussli (1519-2019), Switzerland: Celebrating the 500th Anniversary milestone of the Banknote and Security Paper printng major with the issue of a House Note
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Saturday 29 August 2020

1464) Street Art - Smart City: A set of four stamps issued by Swiss Post depicting Street Art conceptualised by four eminent world-renowned artists: Date of Stamp set issue: 01.09.2020:

1464) Street Art - Smart City: A set of four stamps issued by Swiss Post depicting Street Art conceptualised by four eminent world-renowned artists: Date of Stamp set issue: 01.09.2020:

About Street Art - Smart City:

"Smart City" is a term that covers many different facets and aspects.

With four spectacular special stamps, Swiss Post has lent the term some artistic air.

The idea is irresistible - four internationally acclaimed exponents of Street Art three male artists and one female artist - were given free rein to produce their personal interpretations of what the term "Smart City" means to them.

There is no universally applicable definition of precisely what "Smart City" signifies. It is instead a general term referring to a wide range of activities, ideas, innovations and technologies, which all have one thing in common - the holistic, environmentally-friendly and socially-responsible development of urban areas.

The Stamps:

The four individual Stamps issued in the stamp set.

Four Blocks of Stamps (Sets of Four of each Variant).


Four Sheetlets of eight stamps each , as under, have been created which reflect the concept's wide-ranging aspects:



The First Day Cover (FDC) is titled "STREET-ART Smart City" at bottom left.

 At top right are affixed the four stamps issued in this Stamp Set. 

 The Special Cancellation Handstamp/Postmark bears a representation of Street Art in the centre and at top left. The Cancellation is dated - 01.09.2020".

These four First Day Covers (FDCs) have been cancelled with a Sheetlet of eight stamps each affixed thereon.


Four First Day Covers (FDCs) affixed with a single stamp of each variant cancelled with the Special Cancellation Stamp.
Four First Day Covers (FDCs) affixed with a Block (set of four stamps) of each variant cancelled with the Special Cancellation Stamp.
The First Day Envelope (FDE).
The Technical Details:

 Stamp issue date: 01.09.2020

 Designer: Bustart

 Chromeo - David Kumin, Winterthur, ZH, Daniel Zeltner, Basel, Zaira - Anita Buser, Binningen, BL

 Process: Offset

 Colours: 4 Colours

 Size: 40.0 mm x 43.0 mm






Some other interesting posts on Coins and Banknotes from Switzerland on this Blog:

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

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": Commemorative Gold 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

20) 200 Franc Banknote issued by the Swiss National Bank, Switzerland on 12.09.2019: Sixth and last of the six Banknotes in the Ninth Banknote Series released by the Bank in a phased manner

21) International Year of Plant Health, Switzerland: A Postage Stamp of CHF 0.85 issued by Swiss Post depicting a Japanese beetle eating a healthy plant leaf: Date os stamp issue: 05.03.2020

22) "Social Diversity": Liechtenstein - Switzerland: A Joint Stamp Issue of two stamps by Liechteinische Post and Swiss Post of CHF 1.00 and CHF 0.85: Stamp issue Date: 14.11.2019

23) Orell Fussli (1519-2019), Switzerland: Celebrating the 500th Anniversary milestone of the Banknote and Security Paper printng major with the issue of a House Note




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