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Swiss mint - the red deer. Just a few centuries ago, the red deer lived in riverside forests on the valley floors. It was only in the summer months that they made their way to the more Alpine regions. Settlement of the valleys, accompanied by clearance of the riverside forests as well as increased utilisation of the Alps, forced the deer to abandon their natural habitat and move to denser forests. Almost extinct by 1850, they returned from Austria to the east of the country, especially the Canton of Grisons. From there, they gradually spread out once again to other parts of the country. During the summer months, the red deer live in the National Park where they find peace and plenty of food. One of the park’s principal attractions is without doubt the rut, which takes place in early autumn. During this, the male deer fight one another ferociously to win the favours of the females. Afterwards, the animals leave the National Park and spend the winter months on the sunny slopes of the main valleys in the Engadine, Val Müstair and Vinschgau. The female red deer live mainly in herds with calves and young animals, the male red deer in male herds except during the rut. From the second year of life, the male bears antlers, which it discards after each winter. The Swiss Museum of Transport The Swiss Museum of Transport is today not only the most important technology museum but also the most frequently visited museum in our country. Since its opening on 1 July 1959, it has built up a unique collection that forms the basis for an impressive portrayal of the history of transport and mobility. The Swiss Museum of Transport ranks among the world’s leading transport and technology museums. Efforts to establish a Swiss transport museum date back to as long ago as 1897. It was to take until 1942, however, before the idea was taken up again and the Swiss Museum of Transport Association was founded in Zurich, which has run the museum to the present day. On a piece of land alongside Lake Lucerne made available by the city of Lucerne, the Swiss Museum of Transport came into existence over a two-year construction period beginning in 1957. Today, after some new building and extension work, visitors will discover special and permanent exhibitions on rail and road transport, post and telecommunications, aviation, space travel and navigation, cableways and tourism under the museum’s roof. In addition, the museum accommodates a walk-on aerial photograph (SWISSARENA), the only large planetarium in Switzerland, an IMAX theatre and the Hans Erni Museum. Annual coin set 2009 with bimetal coin 'Swiss National Park – Red deer' In addition to the regular Swiss circulation coins, the annual coin set 2009 also features the 10-franc bimetal commemorative coin 'Swiss National Park – Red deer'. The stunning design of the set not only appeals to collectors. These coins also make a stylish, yet timeless gift to mark anniversaries, and are perfect souvenirs of Switzerland. For occasions such as birth or baptism we now have an exclusive baby coin set. Annual coin set 2008 with 10-franc bimetal commemorative coin'Swiss National Park – Golden eagle' Date of issue: 18th January 2008 Item and quality Legal face value Wrapping Mintage max. Coin set brilliant uncirculated 18.85 Swiss francs Four-colour slipcase with window 15,000 Coin set proof 18.85 Swiss francs Silver colored slipcase with embossment and window 4,000 Ice hockey centenary 2008 The history of ice hockey can be traced back to the 16th century. A game on ice by the name of Bandy is said to have existed in the Netherlands at that time. Bandy, generally regarded as the forerunner of modern ice hockey, is played with a small ball according to rules closely resembling those of football. The first proper match took place in 1875 in London. Just five years later, Bandy reached Switzerland, the mountains of Grisons to be precise. Ice hockey initially grew in popularity in French-speaking Switzerland. From there, ice hockey fever gradually gripped the entire country. In 1908, the national federation was founded in Vevey. The same year also saw the foundation in Paris of the international federation of which Switzerland was one of the original members. The first Swiss ice hockey championships were held in 1908/09 with eight teams from French-speaking Switzerland. Later, the epicentre of this winter sport shifted to German-speaking Switzerland. Over the course of the last one hundred years, ice hockey has grown to become the most important team game in our country alongside football. At the international level, the Swiss team has also been able to notch up a number of major successes. Unfortunately, these already lie some time ago in the past. Perhaps its luck may be about to change with the 2009 World Championships in our own country. The silver commemorative coin 'Ice hockey centenary' at a glance Date of issue: 18th January 2008 Design: Roland Hirter, Berne Coin image Ice hockey centenary Legal face value 20 Swiss francs Annual coin set 2008 with bimetal coin 'Swiss National Park – Golden eagle ' In addition to the regular Swiss circulation coins, the annual coin set 2008 also features the 10-franc bimetal commemorative coin 'Swiss National Park – Golden eagle'. The stunning design of the set not only appeals to collectors. These coins also make a stylish, yet timeless gift to mark anniversaries, and are perfect souvenirs of Switzerland. For occasions such as birth or baptism we now have an exclusive baby coin set. Annual coin set 2008 with 10-franc bimetal commemorative coin'Swiss National Park – Golden eagle' Date of issue: 18th January 2008 Item and quality Legal face value Wrapping Mintage max. Coin set brilliant uncirculated 18.85 Swiss francs Four-colour slipcase with window 15,000 Coin set proof 18.85 Swiss francs Silver colored slipcase with embossment and window 4,000 Vitznau-Rigi Railway 2008 From practical experience gathered in railway operation on the old Hauenstein line, on which the poor adhesion of the locomotives posed a major problem, railway pioneer Niklaus Riggenbach recognised that the easiest way to overcome steep inclines would be to incorporate a toothed track between the rails with a corresponding cogwheel on the traction unit. He applied to patent his invention in Paris in 1863. Even at that time, the Rigi was one of the most popular tourist destinations in Switzerland. It was hardly surprising that this particular mountain should be singled out for Europe’s first mountain railway. On 9th June 1869, the Canton of Lucerne parliament granted a concession for the construction and operation of a cog railway between Vitznau and the Rigi to a consortium of engineers led by Niklaus Riggenbach. The necessary share capital of 1.25 million francs was subscribed within just two days. Work was started without delay and the line was able to commence operation just two years later. The Vitznau-Rigi Railway was an instant success. In 1992, it merged with its long-time rival, the Arth-Rigi Railway founded in 1875, to form the present-day RIGI BAHNEN AG. It also owns the Weggis-Rigi Kaltbad panoramic aerial cableway opened in 1968. Commemorative coin series: Mountain Railways With the “Vitznau-Rigi Railway”, Europe's first mountain railway, in 2008 the Federal Mint Swissmint is launching the new series “Mountain Railways”. The series focuses on railway lines whose importance is attributable both to the pioneering spirit of their builders and to their tourist interest. The silver commemorative coin 'Vitznau-Rigi Railway' at a glance Date of issue: 21st May 2008 Design: Benno K. Zehnder, Gelfingen Coin image Vitznau-Rigi Railway Legal face value 20 Swiss francs Munot Schaffhausen 2007, Silver The Munot at Schaffhausen Crowning the skyline above the old town, the Munot is without doubt the landmark of Schaffhausen. The distinctive circular fortress on a promontory of the Emmersberg is said to have been realised in accordance with Albrecht Dürer’s Treatise on Fortification. For hundreds of years it has dominated the townscape and is immortalised in numerous historical pictures and engravings. Following Schaffhausen’s admission to the confederation in 1501, and especially after the Reformation in 1529, a desire to reinforce the town walls was expressed. On 6 November 1563, after many years of planning, the councils agreed to build the new artillery fortification which was to be integrated into the existing town wall. Its construction lasted from 1564 until 1589. In military terms, the fortress was obsolete from the outset and almost useless for the defence of the town. As a consequence, the Munot should therefore probably be seen as a piece of monumental artillery architecture intended more for show than as an efficient fortification. Only once was it militarily occupied: in 1799 the French, retreating from the Austrians, barricaded themselves inside the town’s fortress. From then on it lost all importance and served as a quarry. It was thanks to the initiative of Jakob Beck, who from 1826 dedicated himself to the preservation of the building, that the Munot was saved. Since 1839, the upkeep of the structure has been in the hands of the Munot Association. Switzerland Brienz-Rothorn-Bahn The railway was opened in 1892, after a two years construction period but was quickly in financial difficulties. The line was designed to carry 25,000 passengers per year but only managed 5,000 passengers in the first year. Tourist traffic was further affected by the opening of Schynige Platte Railway in 1895 and the Jungfraubahn in 1898. As a result of the First World War the train service was suspended in 1914. The line was finally re-opened in 1931. By that time the railway was in good condition because of the continuing maintenance. Unlike other Swiss mountain lines, the BRB was not electrified and this made the railway a special attraction as from 1953 to 1990 it was the only steam-operated line in Switzerland. Although other Swiss mountain railways offer special "steam" trips this is the only line which offers a full steam service, the diesel locomotive only being used for additional trains and for light traffic periods. Pro Patria campaigns aim to publicize maters of public interest while collecting funds to implement selected projects. Support is mainly given to original, innovative and trail-blazing projects, a combination in which the Foundation Council sees a special challenge. For ist collections – Pro Patria stamps surcharges for the benefit of the Foundation, and the National Day (1 August) badge – the Foundation can rely on an extensive network of volunteers throughout Switzerland. Indeed, Pro Patria has owed ist succes since 1909 to the support and solidarity of people in every part of the country. With this new 50 SFR gold coin the Swiss Mint commemorates the creation of the Pro Patria foundation 100 years ago! The Latin Monetary Union In the year 1865, ministers of France, Belgium, Italy and Switzerland signed a monetary treaty (the so-called Latin Monetary Union), which - apart from containing specific regulations pertaining to the weight, fineness, shape and exchange rate of gold and silver coins - also stipulated that the individual governments were only permitted to issue a fixed value of money per capita of population. It was agreed that these identically minted gold and silver coins would circulate freely within the territories of the union. In 1866, the Swiss Government declared that, 'The Federal Council regards the parity of the silver coinage originating from these four countries as a first step towards implementing the notion of a universal monetary system.' The Latin Monetary Union, of which Greece subsequently became another member, remained officially in force until 1926. From this year onwards, the legal tender of Switzerland has been exclusively the Swiss franc. Today, the introduction of the Euro marks a renewed venture towards establishing a common European single-currency area - this time, however, without the participation of Switzerland. Swiss gold coins. Switzerland 20 Francs gold coin, Helvetia , Vreneli. Most popular of all European gold coins, Swiss 20 franc Helvetias, Vrenelis. The obverse of the Swiss Helvetia depicts Vreneli, the charming Swiss Miss of proverb, framed against the majestic Alps. The reverse features Switzerland's traditional coat arms with the famous Swiss cross and wreath of the Republic. The name “Helvetia” dates back to Roman times when it was the term for the original inhabitants of what is now Switzerland. Switzerland has a long, proud history of minting fine gold coinage since 1492. This series of coins was officially issued by Switzerland from 1897 to 1935. Swiss 20 Franc gold coins. Beautiful Swiss Design - The ever popular Swiss 20 Franc is truly one of the most beautiful gold coins in the world! Each coin features a Swiss Miss among a background of the Alps of Switzerland on the obverse side. The reverse features the Swiss Cross, along with the date and denomination of the coin. Gold - These Swiss gold coins are recognized around the world as an excellent and inexpensive way to acquire beautiful gold coins. Switzerland 20 Franc Helvetia design (1897-1935, 1947, 1949) One of the loveliest and most popular of all European gold coins, Swiss 20 franc 'Helvetias' are an excellent choice for bulk gold investors looking for high-quality, classic gold coins.The obverse of the Swiss Helvetia depicts Vreneli, the charming Swiss Miss of proverb, framed against the majestic Alps. (The design is often called the Vreneli instead of Helvetia.) The reverse features Switzerland's traditional coat arms with the famous Swiss cross and wreath of the Republic. Swiss Helvetias are scarce collectible coins, they have the potential to gain in value faster than bullion during a rising gold market, making them a better value than regular bullion coins for bulk gold investors. Swiss 20 Franc Gold Coins.
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