2020) A Coin Set minted by the Swiss Federal Mint includes a 10 Franc Coin depicting the Alpine Edelweiss (National Flower of Switzerland) from the “Flora Alpina” Series and seven other denominations - 5 Fr, 2 Fr, 1 Fr, 1/2 Fr, 20, 10 & 5 Centimes: Year of Coin Set issue: 2016:
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 Coin set was acquired by me through an interesting route. Here is the story:
When I found out that the Swiss Mint was bringing out the 3-Coin "Alpina Flora Coin Series" beginning with the Edelweiss flower I shared this information with my friend Jayant an avid Numismatist & Philatelist, based in Chandigarh at that time. Jayant ordered this coin from the Liechtenstein Post, which was an authorised dealer for the Swiss Mint. Instead of mailing it to Jayant's present address, the Swiss Mint mailed it at his previous address in Pune through an oversight.
There is a great anomaly at the Mumbai and New Delhi Customs. While no import duty is charged at New Delhi, the Mumbai Customs randomly charges import custom duties on a few Numismatic/Philatelic parcels coming from abroad.
It is a big lottery on whether your packet has been identified for customs duty or goes through without a hitch. The strange part is that if one imports the numismatic/Philatelic items through a courier service, then no import duty is levied thereon. There are no standard circular instructions as I found out when I filed an RTI (Right To Information) complaint and the import duty levy is entirely at the discretion of the Customs Officer handling your case.
To cut a long story short, this packet got "caught" at postal customs, Mumbai and a hefty import duty was imposed on it. The Post Office kept the Packet for three weeks and threatened to return it, but Jayant's friend Thathagat managed to get the packet after paying the import duty.
However, as Thathagat was very busy and then the Wuhan Virus Pandemic struck, I could get this Coin Set only yesterday (06.09.2021), as Jayant had managed to procure another Coin set from the Swissmint, as these sets were selling fast and getting out of stock.
The Coin Set:
The specifications of the bimetallic 10 Francs Coin are given in the excerpts elsewhere below.
The specifications of the bimetallic 5 Francs Coin are: Alloy: CuNi (Copper 75%, Nickel 25%); Diameter/Size: 31.00 mm; Weight: 13.2 grams.
The specifications of the bimetallic 2 Francs Coin are:
Alloy: CuNi (Copper 75%, Nickel 25%); Diameter/Size: 27.00 mm; Weight: 8.8 grams.
The specifications of the bimetallic 1 Franc Coin are:
Alloy: CuNi (Copper 75%, Nickel 25%); Diameter/Size: 23.00 mm; Weight: 4.4 grams.
The specifications of the 1/2 Franc Coin are:
Alloy: CuNi (Copper 75%, Nickel 25%); Diameter/Size: 18.00 mm; Weight: 2.2 grams.
The specifications of the 20 Centime Coin are:
Alloy: CuNi (Copper 75%, Nickel 25%); Diameter/Size: 21.00 mm; Weight: 4.0 grams.
The specifications of the 10 Centime Coin are:
Alloy: CuNi (Copper 75%, Nickel 25%); Diameter/Size: 19.00 mm; Weight: 3.0 grams.
The specification of the 5 Centime Coin are:
Alloy: CuNi (Copper 75%, Nickel 25%); Diameter/Size: 17.00 mm; Weight: 1.8 grams.
All the Coins are of Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) Quality.
The Reverses of the eight Coins issued in the Set.
The Obverses of the eight Coins issued in the Set.
"Excerpted from my earlier post put up in 2016":
This 2016 Switzerland 10 Franc Bimetallic coin, is the first coin in the “Flora Alpina” three Coin Series, issued on 20.01.2016 and features the “Alpen Edelweiss” or “Alpine Edelweiss” (Leontopodium alpinum), which is the National Flower of Switzerland.
About the Edelweiss flower:
The word “Edel” stands for “noble” (in English), while “Weiss” means “white” (in English). The other two themes included in this 3 coin Alpine Flower Series are gentian and silver thistle.
The Edelweiss commonly grows in the Alpine regions of Switzerland in rocky limestone surfaces at altitudes of 5,900 to 9,800 feet. The nontoxic plant is used in regional folk medicine as a remedy against several health related issues including respiratory and abdominal maladies.
The Edelweiss, the Alpine symbol par excellence, has achieved cult status. The plant’s white flowers have long symbolised desire, honesty, courage, purity and beauty.
Due to excessive picking, however, the flower was almost completely wiped out to the point that presently it is found mostly in areas which are difficult to access. It is believed that finding an Edelweiss in the wild is a rare stroke of luck. It is more commonly seen in tourism advertisements and on fashion items or souvenirs.
The star shaped part with fuzzy white petals (bracts) which is generally considered to be the flower is in actual fact not the flower, but a pseudanthium (A pseudanthium stands for “false flower” in Greek, or the flower head is a special type of inflorescence, in which anything from a small cluster to hundreds or sometimes thousands of flowers are grouped together to form a single flower like structure). The actual inflorescence in the Edelweiss in the centre is rather inconspicuous and consists of 2 to 12 similar cup shaped flower heads with 60 to 80 pale yellow florets each. This hardy and herbaceous plant can grow to between 5 and 20 cm in height.
The leaves and blooms on the plant are covered in white hairs, giving a woolly appearance. Each bloom, in turn, consists of five or six small yellow spiked florets. These yellow clusters are surrounded by white petals that spread out from the central bloom in a double-star formation.
The Edelweiss is a protected species in Switzerland and is a cultural symbol of the Alpine Region and of the people who live in it. It has been widely referenced in Alpine culture and finds a mention in several books, articles, movies and television programmes that take place in the Alps.
The Edelweiss Flower became a worldwide recognised bloom when it got a mention in a song which appeared in the 1965 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical “The Sound of Music”, the story line, set in the Swiss alps, features a young woman Maria (played by Julie Andrews) who becomes a governess for a widower Captain Von Trapp (played by Christopher Plummer) and his seven children during the annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany in 1938.
The Commemorative Coin featuring the “Alpen Edelweiss” (or the “Edelweiss Flower”):
The Reverse of the Swiss 10 Franc bimetallic Coin
The Reverse of the bimetallic 10 Franc Coin features two Edelweiss blooms. A flower on the left side of the coin highlights the appearance of the flower as seen from its side, while a second bloom is seen more prominently to its right and shows the full face of the flower. The petals of both the flowers which originate from the stalks that figure centrally in the coin’s cupronickel core, spill over into the outer Aluminium Bronze 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 Swiss 10 Franc bimetallic 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 “2016”.
The specifications of this coin are:
Country of issue: Switzerland; Year: 2016; Denominational value: 10 Franken (or 10 Franc); Mint Mark: “B” (Bern); Coin Quality: Uncirculated and Proof; Mintage: 30,000 (Uncirculated pieces) and 6,000 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.
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: 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: Third and final coin in the Series issued on 25.01.2018
A Maxi Card:
As the Coin Set was ordered around Christmas Time, the Liechtenstien Post threw in a complementary Maxi Card showing the Birth of Jesus.
A Maxi Card has all three elements on the same face - the picture, the stamp and the cancellation.
Some interesting post Links from Liechtenstein and Switzerland:
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
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
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
24) "Ancient Postal Routes, through Rheinhausen-Basel-Zurich", Switzerland: EUROPA theme for 2020: A set of two Postage stamps of 100 Swiss Francs each issued by Swiss Post: Date of Stamp set issue: 07.05.2020
25) Microscopic Art, Switzerland: A set of two stamps of the values of 0.85 and 1.00 Swiss franc issued by Swiss Post: Date of Stamp set issue: 07.05.2020
26) 150th Anniversary of the Swiss Fire Brigade Association, Switzerland: A 20 Swiss Franc Silver Coin issued by the Swiss Mint, commemorates the milestone: Date of Coin issue: 03.09.2020
25) Microscopic Art, Switzerland: A set of two stamps of the values of 0.85 and 1.00 Swiss franc issued by Swiss Post: Date of Stamp set issue: 07.05.2020
26) 150th Anniversary of the Swiss Fire Brigade Association, Switzerland: A 20 Swiss Franc Silver Coin issued by the Swiss Mint, commemorates the milestone: Date of Coin issue: 03.09.2020
Posts from Liechtenstein:
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