Latest special coin to be issued: silver coin in honour of the Swiss Shooting Sports Federation's 200th anniversary

In November last year, a new era was ushered in at Swissmint, the Federal Mint, with the new Swiss special coins brand. From 2 June 2023, the latest creation, Swiss Shooting Sports Federation, will be available to mark the 200th anniversary of the organisation.

Swissmint produces exclusive and limited-edition collector coins under the name Swiss special coins. The latest Swiss Shooting Sports Federation special coin is the first of the two-part series in honour of the organisation. With it, Swissmint pays homage to the Swiss Shooting Sports Federation, which will celebrate its 200th anniversary from 16 to 18 August 2024: The Swiss Shooting Sports Federation is one of the oldest sports federations in Switzerland. It was founded at the first federal shooting festival in Aarau in 1824, under the name "Swiss Shooting Association". Today, it has around 130,000 members, making it the fifth largest sports federation in Switzerland.

Special coins are intended to honour projects, associations and personalities

The 20g Swiss Shooting Sports Federation special coin, alloyed with 999.9 silver, shows an artist's interpretation of an eye and a target on the obverse. "Shooting sports require the highest precision and concentration, and the eye plays an important role in this. Our design is right on target," jokes Jan Niklas Betz, Deputy General Manager & Head of Marketing/Sales at Swissmint.

For the reverse side, elements were taken from the predecessor of what would later become the shooting taler – which did not have any nominal value at the time – that was produced to celebrate the Chur shooting festival in 1842. In addition, the nominal value of CHF 20 is depicted. 15,000 uncirculated coins and 5,250 coins in proof quality will be issued.

The anniversary "200 years of the Swiss Shooting Sports Federation" gold coin, to be issued in 2024, will complete the two-part series. "Special coins to mark the 200th anniversary of the Swiss Shooting Sports Federation are a very nice idea. We also loved the idea of minting two coins, a silver coin and a gold coin, to mark this great anniversary. The fact that the silver coin is being released in the year before the event is intended, among other things, to draw the attention of the Swiss population to the Federation's upcoming anniversary," says Jürg Richter, book author, qualified numismatist and head of Sincona AG.

Each of these special coins is a miniature work of art

The Federal Mint Swissmint produces Swiss franc coins on behalf of the Swiss Confederation. These have been created in the heart of Switzerland since 1855, and in the popular Kirchenfeld district of Bern since 1906. Since 1936 Swissmint has also minted special coins to commemorate important historical and cultural events and to honour prominent figures. Each of these special coins is a miniature work of art in a unique tradition of artistry and craftsmanship.