Shooting thaler

A shooting thaler (/ˈtɑːlər/ TAH-lər; German: Schützentaler; French: Écu de tir) is a silver coin in thaler size minted to commemorate a Schützenfest (French: Fête de tir) or free shooting (German: Freischiessen, French: Tir libre) in Switzerland.

Reverse side of the Schützentaler issued for the 1857 federal festival in Bern, designed by Ferdinand Korn:[1] Two muskets in saltire in front of the Swiss cross in splendour, laurel wreath, denomination "5 francs", legend "federal free-shooting in Bern, 1857".

In a narrow sense, Swiss Schützentaler are the silver coins equal in size and weight to the Swiss 5 francs coin minted on the occasion of one of the Eidgenössische Schützenfeste, or federal shooting festivals. Two such coins were issued by the cantonal mints of Graubünden (1842, denominated at 4 Swiss francs[2]), and Glarus (1847, denominated at 40 Batzen) prior to the establishment of the Federal Mint. Sometimes included as "shooting thaler" is a double thaler (10 francs) coin minted by Geneva and donated as cash prizes to the 1851 festival.

The Federal Mint has issued fifteen such coins with the nominal value of five francs, between 1855 and 1885. These coins were not intended as legal tender, even though they were issued by the federal mint with a nominal face value. Because they were minted to the official specifications of the 5 francs coin, they were nevertheless circulated de facto.[3] After 1885, the federal mint was dissuaded from minting these semi-official coins on the part of the Latin Monetary Union. After the demise of the Monetary Union, the Swiss federal mint issued two further Schützentaler, in 1934 and 1939, for a total of twenty distinct Schützentaler (3 cantonal, 17 federal). Of the 22 cantons of the Swiss Confederation, 18 are represented in these coins, the exceptions being Uri, Appenzell, Aargau and Valais.[4]

Most of the designs in the series depict strongly patriotic themes, frequently depicting the federal personification Helvetia alongside a cantonal or city personification, in some cases alluding to specific historical events. The entire series can be distinguished from the much more varied genre of shooting medals (Schützenmedaillen) by their adherence to the specifications of circulating coinage (with the exception of the three cantonal specimens, the Swiss 5 francs coin). All but the Stans (1861) and St. Gallen (1874) issues are denominated.

The term Schützentaler has been revived for commercially produced commemorative coins of thaler size offered on the collector's market since the 1980s.

History

The first shooting medals were struck in honor of the Officers' Shoot held in Langenthal, Bern, in 1822.[5][6] Shooting medals continued to be made in great numbers, minted in a variety of metals, including silver, bronze, gold and white metal.[5]

The first shooting thalers were cantonal pieces, minted in the 1840s by Grisons and Glarus as sovereign cantons of the Restored Confederacy. These two thalers were strictly legal tender, issued under the same conditions as other circulating coins of the period.[7]

For the 1851 festival, Geneva, already as a canton of the Swiss Confederation but before the federal mint had become fully operational, issued a 10 francs piece. This is sometimes included as a "shooting thaler", even though the shooting festival is in no way alluded to in the coin design. The Geneva issue of 1851, with a mintage of only 1,000 pieces, is the rarest of the shooting thalers, and has consequently attained the highest collector's value, selling for upward of CHF 1,500.[8]

All nineteenth-century federal shooting thaler issues were minted to legal fineness, and were given the denomination of five francs.[9] But from 1865, Switzerland was a member of the Latin Monetary Union,[10] and since the shooting thalers were not included in the mintages authorized by the Union, they are considered semi-medallic, and not technically legal tender even though they did circulate de facto, and their circulation was tolerated by the federal authorities.[9] The classification of the federally issued shooting thalers as circulating currency was discussed controversially in the late 19th century. Haas (1893) argues for their recognition as such. He cites the fact that for three decades, these coins were circulated de facto without intervention on the part of the federal authority. In addition, the 1855 thaler was minted as a regular 5 francs coin with the only exception of the shooting festival being mentioned in the inscription on the coin's edge.[7]

The last thaler of this series is the 1885 Bern issue. After this time, Switzerland was dissuaded from further issuing these semi-official coins by the Latin Monetary Union.[3]

Although the term Schützentaler is mostly reserved for the Swiss tradition, some German mints in the 19th century have also issued commemorative coins for Schützenfeste. Examples include the German States of Baden,[11] Bremen,[12] Frankfurt am Main[13] and Hanover,[14]

In 1927, the Monetary Union ceased to exist.[10] Mintage began on a new series of shooting thalers in 1934 in honor of the shooting festival in Fribourg, and another design was issued in 1939 for the Lucerne festival. The 1934 issue was the last official shooting thaler that matched the circulating counterpart in both diameter and weight. The 1939 issues were not the same size and weight as their circulating counterparts, but both issues were redeemable only at the shooting festival or participating businesses.[9] The federal festival, and with it the production of shooting thalers, was interrupted by the outbreak of World War II.[15]

For the federal festivals of 1949 to 1977, commemorative coins were made but not to official specifications. With the rising popularity of collecting commemorative coins in the 1980s, fine silver coins dubbed Schützentaler have been privately issued for cantonal and federal festivals.

Cantonal issues

Chur (1842)
Obverse of coin. A shield bearing the Swiss Cross in front of flags, branches and rifles. Above the shield is a crown with three feathers. A powder horn is suspended below. Inscription and date around outer edge.
Obverse
Reverse of coin. Three ovals, each depicting coats of arms. Above the ovals are two clasped hands emerging from clouds, surrounded by rays. Below are two intersected branches
Reverse
  • Year: 1842
  • Location: Chur
  • Denomination: 4 francs
  • Designer(s): Karl Friedrich Voigt
  • Diameter: 40 mm (1.57 in)
  • Coinage metal: Silver
  • Mintage: 6,000[16]
  • Notes: 1,744 pieces melted in 1852, for an upper limit of 4,256 surviving pieces. White metal and zinc pieces are known to have been struck. The zinc pieces were allegedly fixed in the center of a target during the shooting festival. If hit, the shooter would be given a larger award.[17]
Chur specifications
Details Translation
Obverse EIDGENÖSSISCHES FREISCHIESSEN IN CHUR – 1842 Federal Free Shoot in Chur – 1842
Reverse CANTON GRAUBÜNDEN – 4 SCHWEIZER FRANKEN Canton of Graubünden – 4 Swiss francs
Edge EINTRACHT MACHT STARK Harmony is strength

Glarus (1847)
Obverse of coin. Coat of arms of Glarus in the center, encircled by oak and laurel. Inscription and date around the outer edge.
Obverse
Reverse of coin, with Swiss cross in the center, rifles and flags arrayed behind, above which are two clasped hands, denomination below. Around the outer edge are laurel branches.
Reverse
  • Year: 1847
  • Location: Glarus
  • Denomination: 40 batzen
  • Designer(s): S. Burger, Karl Friedrich Voigt
  • Diameter: 40 mm (1.57 in)
  • Coinage metal: Silver
  • Mintage: 3,200[18]
  • Notes: 1,023 pieces melted in 1852, for an upper limit of 2,177 surviving pieces. White metal and zinc pieces are known to have been struck. The zinc pieces were allegedly fixed in the center of a target during the shooting festival. If hit, the shooter would be given a larger award.[19]
Glarus specifications
Details Translation
Obverse EIDGENÖSSISCHES FREYSCHIESSEN IN GLARUS – 1847 Federal Free Shoot in Glarus – 1847
Reverse 40 Btz. 40 batzen
Edge EINTRACHT MACHT STARK Harmony is strength

Geneva (1851)
Obverse of coin. "IHS" surrounded by rays, above the coat of arms of Geneva.
Obverse
Reverse of coin. A wreath of oak and laurel surrounding the date and denomination. Inscription around the outer edge.
Reverse
  • Year: 1851
  • Location: Geneva
  • Denomination: 10 francs
  • Designer(s): Antoine Bovy[20]
  • Diameter: 48 mm (1.89 in)
  • Coinage metal: Silver
  • Mintage: 1,000[21]
  • Notes: These coins are not technically "shooting thalers", as the shooting festival is in no way mentioned or alluded to in the design. They are, rather, a batch of 1,000 double thaler (10 francs, 52 grams) coins minted by the canton of Geneva specifically as cash prizes that could be won at the festival.[22][8]
Geneva specifications
Details Translation
Obverse POST – TENEBRAS – LUX Light after darkness
Reverse REPUBLIC ET CANTON DE GENEVE – 10 FRANCS 1851 Republic and Canton of Geneva – 10 francs 1851
Edge None None

Federal issues (1855–1885)

Solothurn (1855)
Helvetia seated, holding shield bearing the Swiss Cross, pointing left. Legend above.
Obverse
  • Year: 1855
  • Location: Solothurn
  • Denomination: 5 francs
  • Designers: Friedrich Fisch, S. Burger, Karl Friedrich Voigt
  • Diameter: 37 mm (1.46 in)
  • Coinage metal: Silver
  • Mintage: 3,000[23]
  • Design:
    Obv.: Seated figure of Helvetia, holding shield with the federal coat of arms, pointing left, with mountains and ears of corn, HELVETIA
    5 Fr. 1855, wreath of oak leaves and gentian
    Edge: EIDGEN. FREISCHIESEN SOLOTHURN 1855
  • Notes: The design is identical to the regular federal 5 franc issues in use at the time, except for the inscription on the edge.[23] Imitations (made from genuine 5 francs coins of 1850) were reported as early as 1890.[24]

Bern (1857)
Legend surrounding rifleman in regalia.
Obverse
Rifles crossed over the Swiss Cross. The Swiss Cross is surrounded by rays encircled by a wreath of oak and laurel. Surrounded by legend and denomination.
Reverse
  • Year: 1857
  • Location: Bern
  • Denomination: 5 francs
  • Designer(s): Ferdinand Korn
  • Diameter: 37 mm (1.46 in)
  • Coinage metal: Silver
  • Mintage: 5,191[25]
  • Design:
    Obv.: Standing figure of a soldier with musket, EHRE IST MEIN HOECHSTES ZIEL. ("Honour is my highest aim"), signature KORN.
    Rev.: Two crossing rifles, Swiss cross in splendour in a wreath, 5 FRANKEN, EIDGENÖSSISCHES FREISCHIESSEN IN BERN 1857.
  • Notes: Examples are known to have been struck in white metal.[25] The only known "Class II" specimen of the 1804 dollar, now in the National Numismatic Collection, was struck over a 1857 shooting thaler.

Zürich (1859)
Legend surrounding standing rifleman. Date below.
Obverse
Legend above two rampant lions flanking three shields, one bearing the Swiss Cross. Denomination below.
Reverse
  • Year: 1859
  • Location: Zürich
  • Denomination: 5 francs
  • Designer(s): Ferdinand Korn
  • Diameter: 37 mm (1.46 in)
  • Coinage metal: Silver
  • Mintage: 6,000[26]
  • Design:
    Obv.: Standing figure of a soldier with rifle, EIDGENÖSSISCHES FREISCHIESSEN, 1859, signature KORN
    Rev.: Two cantonal coats of arms under a federal coat of arms, supported by two lions. ZÜRICH, 5 FRANKEN.

Nidwalden (1861)
Winkelried monument
Obverse
Swiss Cross surrounded by rays. Legend along edge.
Reverse
  • Year: 1861
  • Location: Stans, Nidwalden
  • Denomination: 5 francs
  • Designer(s): Antoine Bovy, Ferdinand Schlöth
  • Diameter: 37 mm (1.46 in)
  • Coinage metal: Silver
  • Mintage: 6,000[27]
  • Design:
    Obv.: The planned Winkelried monument in Stans,[28] ARNOLD WINKELRIED, signature A. BOVY
    Rev.: Swiss cross in splendour, EIDGENÖSSISCHES SCHÜTZENFEST IN NIDWALDEN – 1861
  • Notes: Essai pieces are known to have been struck in white metal.[27]

La Chaux-de-Fonds (1863)
Helvetia seated, pointing left, holding Swiss shield. Legend above, denomination below.
Obverse
Crossed standards and rifles intertwined with wreath. Coat of arms of canton of Neuchâtel superimposed. Radiant Swiss cross above. Legend and date along edge.
Reverse
  • Year: 1863
  • Location: La Chaux-de-Fonds, Neuchâtel
  • Denomination: 5 francs
  • Designer(s): Antoine Bovy, Jacob Siber
  • Diameter: 37 mm (1.46 in)
  • Coinage metal: Silver
  • Mintage: 6,000[29]
  • Design:
    Obv.: Seated Helvetia figure, HELVETIA – 5 FRANCS
    Rev.: Neuchâtel cantonal coat of arms (the new coat of arms introduced after the 1857 Neuchâtel Crisis) with two rifles and two flags in saltire and a wreath, under a Swiss cross in splendour, TIR FEDERAL A LA CHAUX-DE-FONDS – JUILLET 1863, signature SIBER
  • Notes: Examples are known to have been struck in white metal.[29]

Schaffhausen (1865)
City allegory seated, holding wreath. Boy holding an apple shot through by arrow, Munot tower.
Obverse
Coat of arms of canton of Schaffhausen superimposed over Swiss cross. Legend and date along edge. Denomination at bottom.
Reverse
  • Year: 1865
  • Location: Schaffhausen
  • Denomination: 5 francs
  • Designer: Antoine Bovy
  • Diameter: 37 mm (1.46 in)
  • Coinage metal: Silver
  • Mintage: 10,000[30]
  • Design:
    Obv.: The city personification seated, holding a wreath, with the federal coat of arms on the seat, the Munot tower in the background, her left hand resting on the shoulder of Tell's son holding the pierced apple.
    Rev.: The Schaffhausen coat of arms in front of a Swiss cross in a Gothic ornament, EIDGENÖSSISCHES SCHÜTZENFEST IN SCHAFFHAUSEN 1865 – 5 Fr., signature A. BOVY
  • Notes: Two examples are known to have been struck in gold.[30] There are forgeries in magnetic alloy.[31]

Schwyz (1867)
Rampant lion, holding sword, supporting shield. Lion's right back paw standing on a quiver of arrows. Legend on either side of lion.
Obverse
Weapons and standards crossed behind Swiss shield, wreath below. Legend and date along edge. Denomination at bottom.
Reverse
  • Year: 1867
  • Location: Schwyz
  • Denomination: 5 francs
  • Designer: Antoine Bovy
  • Diameter: 37 mm (1.46 in)
  • Coinage metal: Silver
  • Mintage: 8,000[32]
  • Design:
    Obv.: A lion rampant, holding a sword, supporting the cantonal shield. The lion's right back paw standing on a bow andquiver of arrows, the two Mythen peaks in the background, KANTON SCHWYZ, signature A. BOVY
    Rev.: A variety of weapons and four banners crossed behind the federal shield, wreath below, EIDGENÖSSISCHES SCHÜTZENFEST IN SCHWYZ 1867 – 5 Fr.

Zug (1869)
Hans Landwing, in full military dress, holding standard aloft in left hand, halberd in right. Legend and date along edge. "1422" in exurge.
Obverse
Feathered cap over two shields, superimposed over crossed rifles and wreath of oak and laurel. Legend along edge, denomination at bottom.
Reverse
  • Year: 1869
  • Location: Zug
  • Denomination: 5 francs
  • Designer: Antoine Bovy
  • Diameter: 37 mm (1.46 in)
  • Coinage metal: Silver
  • Mintage: 6,000[33]
  • Design:
    Obv.: A medieval soldier with sword and half-armour, holding a halberd in his right hand, holding the cantonal banner in his left, HANS LANDWING RETTET DAS PANNER BEI ARBEDO ("Hans Landwing saves the banner at Arbedo"), 1422, signature A. BOVY SC.T
    Rev.:Feathered cap over the federal and cantonal shields, superimposed over crossed rifles and a wreath of oak and laurel, EIDGENÖSSISCHES SCHÜTZENFEST 1869 IN ZUG. 5 Fr.
  • Notes: Four examples are known to have been struck in gold.[33]

Zürich (1872)
Female figure standing, holding wreath aloft in left hand, supporting coat of arms of Zürich in right. Gears and crops at feet. Legend along edge.
Obverse
Swiss shield superimposed over fasces, crossed rifles and banner reading "ALLE FÜR EINEN – EINER FÜR ALLE", translated as "all for one, one for all". Surrounded by wreath of oak and laurel. Legend and date along edge. Denomination below.
Reverse
  • Year: 1872
  • Location: Zürich
  • Denomination: 5 francs
  • Designer: Fritz Landry
  • Diameter: 37 mm (1.46 in)
  • Coinage metal: Silver
  • Mintage: 10,000[34]
  • Design:
    Obv.: The city personification standing, resting her right arm on the Zürich shield, her left holding aloft a wreath, at her feet gears and crops and a view of the lake, FÜR FREIHEIT UND VATERLAND ("for liberty and fatherland"), signature F. LANDRY
    Rev.: The federal shield superimposed over a fasces and two crossed rifles, with the motto ALLE FÜR EINEN – EINER FÜR ALLE ("all for one, one for all"), surrounded by a wreath of oak and laurel, EIDGENÖSSISCHES. SCHÜTZENFEST. IN. ZÜRICH. 1872. 5 Fr.
  • Notes: The obverse design was also used for shooting medals issued for the same festival.[34]

St. Gallen (1874)
Bearded general, kneeling, holding standard in left hand, holding sword aloft and pointing toward the sun. "1474 A 1476" in exurge.
Obverse
Coat of arms of St. Gallen superimposed over crossed rifles and wreath of oak and laurel. Swiss cross above, city view behind. Legend along top edge. Date below, in exurge.
Reverse
  • Year: 1874
  • Location: St. Gallen
  • Denomination: 5 francs
  • Designers: Fritz Landry, Antoine Bovy
  • Diameter: 37 mm (1.46 in)
  • Coinage metal: Silver
  • Mintage: 15,000[35]
  • Design:
    Obv.: Adrian von Bubenberg before the Battle of Murten: A kneeling knight, helmet deposited on the ground, holding the federal standard in his left, pointing with his sword to the left, in the background the rising Sun and the town of Murten, the Bernese troops shown on the right margin, 1474 A 1476, legend A. BOVY F.T
    Rev.: Coat of arms of St. Gallen superimposed over crossed rifles and wreath of oak and laurel. Swiss cross above, city view behind, EIDGENÖSS. SCHÜTZENFEST IN S.T GALLEN – 1874
  • Notes: The scene references an episode before the battle: while the Bernese were in prayer, the sun burst from its cloud cover, and Bubenberg is said to have exclaimed "forth, brethren, God is illuminating our victory!".[36] The same composition was used by Durussel for a tin medal commemorating the battle in the same year.[37]

Lausanne (1876)
Two allegorical females shake hands, one holding goblet. Behind the females are standards, fasces, shields, grape vines and scenery. At their feet are the dates of 1836 and 1876. Legend along edge above, denomination in exurge below.
Obverse
City view of Lausanne. Legend and date above.
Reverse
  • Year: 1876
  • Location: Lausanne
  • Denomination: 5 francs
  • Designer: Edouard Durussel
  • Diameter: 37 mm (1.46 in)
  • Coinage metal: Silver
  • Mintage: 20,000[38]
  • Design:
    Obv.: Helvetia and the personification of Vaud shaking hands, Vaud holding a wine goblet, cantonal and federal shields, flags and fasces in the background, flanked by grape vines and mountain scenery, 1836 · 1876 (1836 is the date of the first federal shooting festival in Lausanne), POUR · ETRE · FORTS SOYONS · UNIS · ("to be strong, let us be united"), 5 F, signature DURUSSEL
    Rev.: View of the city of Lausanne, TIR FÉDÉRAL DE 1876 LAUSANNE
  • Notes: The reverse design was used on a shooting medal issued for the same festival.[38]

Basel (1879)
Front–facing male in regalia, holding long sword. Legend along edge.
Obverse
Cockatrice in center surrounded by legend and date. Denomination below. Shields of the Swiss cantons along edge.
Reverse
  • Year: 1879
  • Location: Basel
  • Denomination: 5 francs
  • Designer: Edouard Durussel
  • Diameter: 37 mm (1.46 in)
  • Coinage metal: Silver
  • Mintage: 30,000[39]
  • Design:
    Obv.: Standing Swiss soldier in Renaissance garb with Bidenhänder and Katzbalger, DAS SCHWERT ZUR HAND IM HERZEN GOTT SO WIRD D. SCHWEIZER NIE Z. SPOTT ("With sword in his hand and God in his heart, so will the Swiss never be disgraced"), signatures LANDERER, DURUSSEL.
    Rev.: Basel coat of arms supported by the basilisk in a circle of the 22 cantonal coats of arms , EIDG. SCHÜTZENFEST IN BASEL 1879, 5 Fr.
  • Notes: Two varieties exist. One variety depicts rays between the sword and leg, while the other does not. Examples are known to have been struck in white metal.[39]

Fribourg (1881)
Two seated soldiers, one wielding crossbow and one a halberd, supporting shields below standing Helvetia holding Swiss flag. Legend along edge, "1481" in exurge.
Obverse
Swiss cross above city view of Fribourg. Legend and date along edge, denomination at bottom.
Reverse
  • Year: 1881
  • Location: Fribourg
  • Denomination: 5 francs
  • Designer: Edouard Durussel
  • Diameter: 37 mm (1.46 in)
  • Coinage metal: Silver
  • Mintage: 30,000[40]
  • Design:
    Obv.: Two Swiss soldiers, one wielding a crossbow and the other a halberd, supporting Fribourg and Solothurn shields, respectively, seated at the feet of Helvetia holding the federal flag, ENTRÉE DE FRIBOURG & SOLEURE DANS LA CONFÉDÉRATION SUISSE 1481 ("Entry of Fribourg and Solothurn into the Swiss Confederation, 1481"), signature E. DURUSSEL.
    Rev.: Swiss cross in splendour above a city view of Fribourg, TIR FÉDÉRAL À FRIBOURG 1881, 5 Fr.

Lugano (1883)
Seated Helvetia and Ticino. Helvetia is holding a sword and shield bearing the Swiss cross; Ticino is holding an oar with cantonal colours. The figures are seated above a the Gotthard tunnel with a steam engine emerging. Legend along edge at top, denomination at bottom.
Obverse
Coat of arms of Lugano superimposed over rifles, standard and laurel branches. Shooting cap above. View of lake to right. Legend and year within banner above.
Reverse
  • Year: 1883
  • Location: Lugano
  • Denomination: 5 francs
  • Designer(s): Edouard Durussel
  • Diameter: 37 mm (1.46 in)
  • Coinage metal: Silver
  • Mintage: 30,000[41]
  • Design:[42]
    Obv.: Seated Helvetia with Ticino as river god, Helvetia is holding a sword and federal shield, Ticino an oar with cantonal colours, both are sitting on the Gotthard Tunnel (opened 1882), from which a locomotive is emerging, LIBERTADE INERME É DE' TIRANNI AGEVOL PREDA ("Defenseless liberty is easy prey for tyrants"), 5 Fr, signature E. DURUSSEL.
    Rev.: Shield of Lugano with Gothic ornaments, superimposed over two rifles, two banners and a laurel branch, a feathered cap and cloak resting on the shield, view of the lake and city on the right, TIRO FEDERALE IN LUGANO 1883.

Bern (1885)
Standing Helvetia holding sword and shield, bear behind. Legend along edge.
Obverse
Coat of arms of Bern superimposed over crossed rifles and wreaths. Swiss cross above. Legend and date along edge, denomination below.
Reverse
  • Year: 1885
  • Location: Bern
  • Denomination: 5 francs
  • Designers: Edouard Durussel, Christian Bühler
  • Diameter: 37 mm (1.46 in)
  • Coinage metal: Silver
  • Mintage: 25,000[43]
  • Design:
    Obv.: Standing Helvetia holding sword and federal shield, in front of the Bernese bear, her left hand resting on the bear's shoulder, DEM BUND ZUM SCHUTZ DEM FEIND ZUM TRUTZ ("To protect the federation, to defy the enemy"), signature E. DURUSSEL.
    Rev.: Bernese coat of arms superimposed over crossed rifles, wreath of oak leaves and gentian, Swiss cross in splendour above, EIDGENÖSSISCHES SCHÜTZENFEST IN BERN · 1885, 5 Fr., signature C. BÜHLER INV.
  • Notes: Examples are known to have been struck in white metal.[43]

Federal issues (1934–1939)
At left, the obverse of the silver-colored thaler, featuring a standing soldier looking left, a rifle in his right hand, surrounded by the inscription TIR FEDERAL FRIBOURG 1934. At right, the reverse, showing an oval form of the Fribourg coat of arms encircled by laurel branches, with a crown above. Along the outer edge is the inscription BON DE 5Fr REMBOURSABLE AVANT LE 31 AOUT 1934, with 5 FR at the bottom.
1934 Fribourg shooting thaler. Reverse legend reads: BON DE 5Fr REMBOURSABLE AVANT LE 31 AOUT 1934 (English: Good for five francs reimbursable before August 31, 1934)
At left, the obverse of shooting thaler, showing a kneeling rifleman aiming to right, surrounded by the inscription EIDGENÖSSISCHES SCHÜTZENFEST IN LUZERN, with 1939 below. At right, the reverse, showing the words EINER FÜR ALLE, ALLE FÜR EINEN above the Lucerne coat of arms in the middle, with EINLÖSBAR BIS 31. AUGUST 1939 around the outer edge, and 5 FR at the bottom.
1939 Lucerne shooting thaler

The shooting thalers of 1934 and 1939 were the final two specimens issued by the Swiss federal mint. They did have the traditional denomination of 5 francs, but with the added instruction that the coins were only redeemable for this amount at the festival itself. The 1934 coin had the legend Bon de 5 Fr. remboursable avant le 31 août 1934 ("voucher for 5 francs redeemable before 31 August 1934") and the 1939 one had Einlösbar bis 31. August 1939 ("redeemable until 31 August 1939).

They are minted to the new specification for 5 franc coins, reduced from 37 mm, 25 grams Ag 90% (22.5 g fine silver) to 31 mm, 15 grams Ag 83.5% (12.525 g fine silver), and thus no longer of "thaler" size.

Location Date Denomination Coinage metal Mintage[44] KM number Haberling number
Fribourg 1934 000055 francs Silver 40,650 S18 H20a
Fribourg 1934 00100100 francs Gold 2,000 S19 H21
Lucerne 1939 000055 francs Silver 40,000 S20 H22
Lucerne 1939 00100100 francs Gold 6,000 S21 H23

Medals

Medals (1829–1853)

No medals were struck to commemorate the first modern Eidgenössische Schützenfest in 1824. Likewise, there is no medal from the second festival in 1827, and only shooting tokens (jetons) but no actual medals from the third in 1828. The first silver medal made for a federal shooting festival was issued for the fourth festival of 1829, in Fribourg, as a shooting prize. For the fifth festival in Bern, in 1830, a purely commemorative silver medal was made. After this, there is again a gap of a full decade, interrupted only by a lead prize medal sponsored by the town of Ragaz for the 1838 festival in St. Gallen. The eleventh festival, Chur 1842, was the first for which there is a cantonal issue shooting thaler. For 1844, in Basel, there was again a commemorative silver medal. The 1849 festival in Aarau issued a commemorative medal, strictly not for the current festival but commemorative of the first festival 25 years before. This was followed by another commemorative medal for the 1853 festival in Lucerne, the final such medal predating the introduction of federal issue shooting thalers in 1855.

The silver medals of 1830 and 1844 are thus the first commemorative silver medals for federal festivals. Of these two medals, numerous copies were made around 1890. It is unclear whether these were forgeries intended to deceive or if they were openly sold as copies at the time, but in either case, they have no distinguishing marks and are difficult to tell from the originals.

Location Date Design Size Weight Richter nr.
Fribourg 1829 Fribourg coat of arms, CANTON FREYBURG; EIDGENÖSSISCHES EHR UND FREYSCHIESSEN, EHRENGABE 1829. 20.8 g 400
Bern 1830 Rifle pyramid with flag and fasces, ALLE NACH EINEM ZIELE ("All towards one aim"); Z. ANDENKEN A.D.EIDSG.FREYSCHIESSEN IN BERN V. 12-17 JUL.1830 ("For the commemoration of the 5th federal free shooting in Bern, 12 to 17 July 1830"), oak wreath, IMMER BEREIT ("ever ready"); by Nicholas Friedrich Rütimeyer 28.3 mm 10.1 g 179a
St. Gallen 1838 Swiss cross, ZUM EIDG. FREISCHIESSEN IN ST.GALLEN 1838; wreath, EHRENGABE VON RAGAZ 51 mm 116.6 g (Pb)
Basel 1844 EIDGENÖSSISCHES FREISCHIESSEN 1844 ZU BASEL, dying soldier in harness with broken sword and shield, holding up a flag, ST:IACOB AN DER BIRS 26 AUGUST 1444. (Battle of St. Jakob an der Birs) A BOVY•SC; coats of arms of the Eight Cantons in roundels, ''DER SCHILD ZERBROCHEN, DAS SCHWERT ENTZWEI, DAS BANNER IN STERBENDER HAND. TRIUMPH DAS VATERLAND BLEIBT FREI, GOTT SEGNE DAS VATERLAND. ("Shield shattered, sword broken, banner held in dying hand / Triumph, the Fatherland remains free, God bless the Fatherland.") 38 mm 26.6 g 87b
Aarau 1849 City coat of arms, reclining allegory of commerce or industry, KUNST UND FLEISS, DES FRIEDENS PREIS. CANTON AARGAU 1803 ("Art and industriousness, the price of peace") A.BOVY FECIT; cantonal coat of arms, Swiss cross with clouds and rays, wreath of laurel and oak, 25 JÄHRIGE JUBELFEIER DES EIDG. SCHÜTZENFESTES AARAU 1849 ("Celebration of the 25th anniversary of the federal shooting festival [of 1824] in Aarau, 1849"). 1b
Lucerne 1853 The figure of Arnold Winkelried lying dead, grasping a bundle of pikes, floating above him an allegory of victory with wreath and liberty cap, DEM ARNOLD VON WINKELRIED DAS DANKBARE VATERLAND ("[dedicated] to Arnold von Winkelried [by] the grateful Fatherland"), I.B. FRENER (engraver Johann-Baptist Frener); Swiss cross in splendour, wreath of oak and laurel, SCHÜTZENFEST DER EIDGENOSSEN IN LUZERN 1853. 41 mm 30 g

Medals (1887–1929)

Silver medals for the federal festivals of 1887–1929 are sometimes referred to as Schützentaler. Most of these were also minted in bronze and in gold. The medals of 1887 to 1901 were minted in full thaler size (or somewhat larger), with a diameter of 45 mm and a silver weight above 38 grams. Beginning in 1904, the medals became smaller, in 1924 reduced to 10 grams of silver (reflecting the silver hausse in the wake of the First World War).

Location Date Design Size Weight Mintage Richter nr.
Geneva 1887 obv. Musketeer in half-armour standing on the city ramparts, in front of a cannon and a shield with the city arms, city view in the background, TOUT POUR LA PATRIE, 1519·1526, 1584·1814; rev. federal arms upon the city blazon (imperial eagle, key of Peter, IHS Christogram), UN POUR TOUS, TOUS POUR UN, TIR FEDERAL A GENEVE 1887 (H. Bovy, C. Richard, E. Lossier) 45 mm 12 (Au)[45]
Frauenfeld 1890 obv. allegory of Helvetia shielding Thurgau, Frauenfeld Castle, date 1803; rev. Frauenfeld arms (Hugues Bovy) 45 mm 38.8 g 1250
Glarus 1892 obv.: soldier in Renaissance garb with halberd, his left resting on an oval shield with Glarus arms, oak leaves, panorama of Glarus in the background, FÜR EHR UND WEHR; rev.: rifle and laurel branch crossing behind cup trophy with Glarus arms, EIDGEN. SCHÜTZENFEST IN GLARUS 1892 (F. Homberg, Bern) 45 mm 43 g (Ag) 50 (Ag) 807
Glarus 1892 obv.: standing Helvetia with panoramic view of Glarus, GEDENKET DER THATEN EURER VAETER ("remember the deeds of your fathers"); rev.: Glarus coat of arms (Huguenin frères) 45 mm 38.8 g (Ag), 67.8 g (Au) 55 (Au) 808
Winterthur 1895 obv.: seated city personification extending a laurel branch, below a Swiss cross in splendour, panorama of the festival pavilion in the background; rev.: city view in a wreath, city coat of arms with laurel branches, a crossbow, busts of Liberty and Hermes, EIDGENÖSSISCHES SCHÜTZENFEST 1895 IN WINTERTHUR, H. W., G. H. (Georges Hantz, H. Wildermuth)[46] 45 mm 38.6 g (Ag) 1756
Neuchâtel 1898 obv.: scene of a shooting range with five shooters; rev.: heraldic eagle with city coat of arms, oak branch, federal flag, city view, TIR FÉDÉRAL DE 1898 A NEUCHATEL (F. Landry) 45 mm 38.3 g (Ag) 970
Lucerne 1901 obv.: helmeted and armoured bust of Helvetia in profile with flowing hair and a branch of gentian adorning the helmet, view of Lake Lucerne with Tell's chapel in the background; rev.: Lucerne arms with laurel branch imposed over Swiss cross, EIDGENOESSISCHES SCHVETZENFEST 1901 (Hans Frei, Basel)[47] 45 mm 36 g (Ag) 879
St. Gallen 1904 obv.: Shooter with Schmidt–Rubin model 1896 rifle, oak tree, city view in the background, ST GALLEN 1904, H. Huguenin; rev.: Helvetia standing on a rocky slope holding the federal flag, pointing right, with an infantry rifleman in the background, St. Gallen coat of arms and Swiss cross engraved in the rockface, EIDGENOSSISCHES SCHUTZENFEST, H. Huguenin, Huguenin Frs. (Huguenin frères) 33 mm 16 g 4,759 (Ag) 1175
Zürich 1907 obv.: Helvetia with edelweiss wreath and city personification in profile; rev.: laurel branch, EIDGENOESSISCHES SCHUETZENFEST IN ZUERICH 1907 (Bosch, Huguenin) 10.4 g (Ag), 15.2 g (Au) 400 (Au) 1793
Bern 1910 obv.: bust of woman in Bernese Tracht, 1910 Bern, Holy fr.s; rev. federal arms supported by a bear, Zytglogge tower, EIDGENOESSISCHES SCHUETZENFEST, HOLY FRS 14g (Ag) 13.3 g (Au) 263
Aarau 1924 obv.: kneeling William Tell, „DU KENNST DEN SCHÜTZEN“ ("Thou know'st the marksman"[48]); rev.: heraldic eagle haloed with Swiss cross, EIDG·SCHÜTZENFEST·AARAU·1924. Variant (Richter 44) has the additional inscription DEN MITARBEITERN GEWIDMET on the reverse. 10 g (Au), 12.6 g (Ag) 223 (Au) 43, 44
Aarau 1924 obv.: Two men standing, rifles in their left hands, shaking hands, Swiss cross in square field of rays, AARAU 1824 1924; rev.: JAHR=HVNDERTFEIER DES SCHWEIZ. SCHV̈TZENVEREINS (Hans Frei, J. Schwyzer) 50 mm 60 g (bronze) 45
Bellinzona 1929 obv. a girl sitting on a rock; rev. a triple fountain representing Rhone, Ticino and Rhine (RODANO, TICINO, RENO), TIRO FEDERALE - BELLINZONA 1924 (Huguenin / Ballestra) 27 mm 13 g 2,500 1467

Medals (1949–1990)

The federal festivals had commemorative medals minted in silver and gold. These do not have a face value in francs and are typically called Schützenmedaille rather than Schützentaler.

The designs of the medals for the 1949 to 1979 festivals abandoned the classicist style of Romantic nationalism prevalent in the 19th to early 20th century thalers, and follow the artistic tastes of their time, tending towards minimalistic or postmodernist styles (a trend already perceptible in the modernized designs of the federal 1939 issue and one of the two variants made for the 1924 festival).

The 1949 medal was the last to be produced at the federal mint, still bearing the B mint mark and no fineness stamp, as it was still made at the 83.5% fineness of the 5 francs coins of the time. The medals of 1954 onward are made by Huguenin Frères (HF) and are marked with a 900/1000 fineness stamp.

Location Date Design Mintage Richter nr.
Chur 1949 kneeling shooter with rifle, EIDGENÖSSISCHES SCHÜTZENFEST CHUR 1949, EMIL WIEDERKEHR; rev.: Graubünden arms, SCHWEIZERISCHER SCHÜTZENVEREIN, 1824-1949, B 857
Lausanne 1954 Henri Guisan in profile, · HENRI GUISAN · GENERAL ·, IT RECTE · NIHIL TIMET, A. LASSERRE; rev. TIR FEDERAL LAVSANNE 1954 inscribed in an outlined cross, B, CR, 0.900 HF 1649
Biel 1958 obv.: three standing men, one sowing seeds, one holding a K31 rifle, one forging a horseshoe, the Biel coat of arms engraved on the base of the anvil, HUGUENIN JR; rev.: EIDG. SCHÜTZENFEST BIEL TIR FEDERAL BIENNE 1958, 0,900, HF (Huguenin)
Zürich 1963 obv.: depiction of a Stgw. 57 rifle with muzzle pointing downward, EIDGENÖSSISCHESSCHÜTZENFESTZÜRICH1963, 0.900 HF; rev.: stylized heraldic lion supporting the Zürich arms, 1963, F. FISCHER
Thun 1969 obv.: Eidg. Schützenfest Tir fédéral Thoune Tiro federale Thun , K.J., 0.900, HF; rev.: stylized depiction of Thun castle, Swiss cross in a Kelle (wand used to indicate shot placement), 1969, K. JACOBSEN
Luzern 1979 obv.: kneeling figure of William Tell, Erni '78 (artist's signature), 900, +M; rev.: apple pierced by a crossbow bolt in front of a Swiss cross, 50. EIDGENÖSSISCHES SCHÜTZENFEST 1979 LUZERN (Hans Erni)
Chur 1985 obv.: 85 Chur, Eidgenössisches Schützenfest, Tir fédéral, Tiro federale, Tir federal, 900 HF; rev.: city, cantonal and federal coats of arms, CUIRA, COIRE, COIRA, GRÖBLI (Carlo Gröbli)
Winterthur 1990 obv.: range target with Kelle, WINTERTHUR 90, 900 HF, EIDG. SCHÜTZENFEST · TIR FEDERAL · TIRO FEDERALE · TIR FEDERAL; rev.: Winterthur church and city coat of arms

CIT collector coins (1990 to present)

Beginning in 1982, commemorative medals in gold and silver have been produced for various local shooting events by the private company CIT "Coin Invest Trust" based in Balzers, Liechtenstein, in collaboration with Huguenin Frères (since 2002 named Faude & Huguenin SA) of Le Locle. The privately produced 1982 "Schützentaler" was offered in Platinum and Palladium alongside silver and saw "phenomenal" sales in the collectors' market especially in the United States.[49] Encouraged by this success, CIT Coin Invest went on to produce yearly issues at least nominally associated with selected Swiss shooting events, and in designs loosely reminiscent of the aesthetics of the 19th-century Schützentaler. Their design for the 1984 Feldschiessen in Oberhasli features the seated 1850 Helvetia design by Friedrich Fisch and a depiction of the Wilhelm Tell monument by Richard Kissling (1895). The 1990 design for the Winterthur festival once again shows the embracing figures of Helvetia and the city personification, and crossed muskets with a laurel wreath, albeit in modernized , slightly cartoonish art style.

The same company has also offered "Schützentaler" for the federal shooting festival from 1990 onward. The 1990 festival still had a separate official commemorative coin in modern design, and the CIT coin was undenominated.

Since 1995, the organizers of the federal shooting festivals have adopted the CIT "shooting thalers" as official, and they have been denominated with CHF 50 (silver) and CHF 500 (gold).

They are commemorative medals aimed at the collector's market, but they are marketed as "Schützentaler". Their design has returned to the patriotic themes of the 19th-century issues, and a nominal face-value in Swiss Francs was re-introduced. These denominations are fictional and not related to any Swiss monetary authority. The legend convertible à la fête de tir / einlösbar am Schützenfest ("redeemable at the shooting festival") is engraved on the reverse, in imitation of the final federal issues of 1934 and 1939, so that they are technically tokens or vouchers that could be redeemed for the stated amount at the respective festivals. For the three coins issued 2010–2020, the reverse side of the coins remained unchanged, showing the coin denomination (Fr. 50 for silver, Fr. 500 for gold) in a wreath of oak and gentian and above two crossed muskets with a powder horn, and the legend convertible à la fête de tir / einlösbar am Schützenfest, and a fineness stamp HF (Huguenin), 900 for silver, 999 for gold.

Location Date Design Denomination Coinage metal Mintage[44] KM number Haberling number
Winterthur 1990 obv.: city personification and Helvetia standing, Winterthur holding a sword, Helvetia the federal shield; rev.: target in a laurel wreath, above crossed muskets. — Silver 5,000 H39a
— Gold 400 H40a
Thun 1995 obv.: bust of Tell holding crossbow and bolt; rev.: K31, federal and Berne coas, panorama view. 0005050 francs Silver 5,000 S46 H49a
00500500 francs Gold 500 S47 H50
Bière 2000 obv.: Renaissance soldier with flamberg holding Vaud coa; rev.: Swiss cross, grape garlands, crossed muskets 0005050 francs Silver 3,500 S59 H62
00500500 francs Gold 300 S60 H63a
Frauenfeld 2005 obv.: apple-shaped target; rev.: Frauenfeld castle, Frauenfeld coa. — Silver, Gold
Aarau 2010 obv.: allegory holding a wreath, oak branch, resting on a shield with imperial eagle, cantonal coa as inescutcheon, standing in front of a reposing lion; rev. wreath, crossed muskets. 0005050 francs Silver 2,000 S79 H83a
00500500 francs Gold 200 S80 H84a
Valais[50] 2015 obv. a shooter crowned with laurel by an allegory of victory; rev.: wreath, crossed muskets. 0050050 francs Silver 1,200 - H93a
00500500 francs Gold 200 - H94a
Lucerne[51] 2020 obv.: Helvetia and Lucerne city personification with coas, Helvetia seated with a sword, Lucerne standing with a musket, a lion at the feet of Lucerne; rev. wreath, crossed muskets. 0005050 francs Silver 1,000 -
00500500 francs Gold 125

See also
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Schützentaler.

References
  1. Ferdinand Korn (1825 - ca. 1870), originally of Mainz, acted as chief engraver at the federal mint from 1855, as director in 1858/9. After a dispute with Bovy, he moved back to Germany, as master of the mint for the Duke of Nassau at Wiesbaden.
  2. prior to the introduction of the federal Swiss franc in 1850, "Swiss franc" was the name given to cantonal silver coins of one livre tournois.
  3. Swissmint FAQ, p. 9, citing Revue Suisse de Numismatique, 1894, p. 56.
  4. Zürich (1859, 1872) and Bern (1857, 1885) are represented twice; Unterwalden is represented with Stans (Nidwalden). Cantons represented by cities other than their capitals are Ticino (with Lugano) and Neuchâtel (with La Chaux-de-Fonds). The festival in Aarau (Aargau) of 1849 was held just before the federal mint became operative and again in 1924, when it had ceased to issue shooting thalers. Festivals in Lucerne were held in 1832 and 1901, with a federal issue Schützentaler minted only for the third event in 1939. The small cantons of Uri and Appenzell have never hosted a federal festival, the canton of Valais for the first time only in 2015.
  5. Krause, p. 11
  6. Krause, p. 10
  7. F. Haas, Eine Streitfrage: Sind die eidgenössischen Schützenfestthaler mit der Werthbezeichnung 4 Franken (alte) und 5 Franken in eine Verkehrs-Münzensammlung aufzunehmen oder nicht?" ("A controversial question: should the federal shooting festival thalers with denomination 4 francs (old) and 5 francs be included in a collection of circulating coins or should they not?"), Revue numismatique de suisse 3 (1893), 354f.
  8. At a mintage of 1,000 pieces, this coin is today traded for upward of CHF 1,500: Auctioned for CHF 1,600 in 2018 (Sincona Auction 47 - Part 2, Lot 3378); schweizer-geld.ch: CHF 1750 for "fine" condition, CHF 2500 for "very fine" condition (as of 2020).
  9. Bruce, p. 455
  10. Kenen, Peter B. & Meade, Ellen E. (2008). Regional Monetary Integration Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-86250-7
  11. Krause & Mishler, p. 355
  12. Krause & Mishler, p. 373
  13. Krause & Mishler, p. 383
  14. Bruce, p. 155
  15. Searis, BJ. "Swiss Shooting Thalers". Professional Coin Grading Service. Retrieved 2015-02-27.
  16. of the original mintage of 6,000, 1,744 pieces were retired and melted down by the federal mint in 1852. Bericht des Bundesrathes über die Münzeinlösung, cited after Haas (1893).
  17. Richter, p. 161
  18. of the original mintage of 3,200, 1,023 pieces were retired and melted down by the federal mint in 1852. Bericht des Bundesrathes über die Münzeinlösung, cited after Haas (1893).
  19. Richter, p. 156
  20. Medalist Antoine Bovy (1795–1877) of Geneva, French citizenship 1835, employed by the federal mint for the Swiss franc coins in 1850/51 and 1873/4.
  21. Richter, p. 113
  22. Bulletin de l'Institut national genevois 22 (1877), 115.
  23. Richter, p. 209
  24. Bulletin de la Societè Suisse de Numismatique 9 (1890), p. 29.
  25. Richter, p. 60; Münzgeschichte der Schweiz 35 (1896), p. 33.
  26. Richter, p. 299
  27. Richter, p. 193
  28. The monument by Ferdinand Schlöth was at the time unfinished, commissioned in 1855 but inaugurated only in 1865.
  29. Richter, p. 180
  30. Richter, p. 199
  31. 1865 Schaffhausen Schützenfest FÄLSCHUNG
  32. Richter, p. 202
  33. Richter, p. 293
  34. Richter, p. 301
  35. Richter, p. 215
  36. Geßner, Geschichte der Schweizerischen Eidsgenossenschaft (1827), 521.
  37. iNumis, Mail Bid Sale 24, Lot 1754
  38. Richter, p. 274
  39. Richter, p. 45
  40. Richter, p. 93
  41. Richter, p. 245
  42. Victor Emmanuel III of Italy, Corpus Nummorum Italicorum vol. 4 (1913), p. 565; plate xlv (p. 634), no. 18. C.f. Richter 1372, Durussel's design for the 1882 Tiro cantonale liberta in Bellinzona (coinhirsch.com).
  43. Richter, p. 62
  44. Bruce, pp. 456–460
  45. Only twelve pieces of the 1887 medal were minted in gold; already in 1893, it was reported that one of these had sold for CHF 1200. 'Revue suisse de numismatique' 3 (1893), p. 61.
  46. Revue suisse de numismatique 3 (1895), p. 254.
  47. The 1901 silver medal was sold for 10 francs at the festival. Its description in the official Fest-Zeitung (Roman Scherer, p. 26) reads: Brustbild einer jugendlichen Helvetia mit Panzer und Helm mit urschweizerisch-landschaftlicher Staffage. Deutlich ruft uns das Bild zu: Si vis pacem, para bellum. — Die Medaille dürfte ungeteilten Beifall finden. ("Half length portrait of a youthful Helvetia with armour and helmet, with proto-Swiss rural staffage. Unmistakably this image calls out to us: Si vis pacem, para bellum. — The medal will surely be met with unmitigated approval.").
  48. Schiller (1804) act 4, sc. 3, trans. Martin (1900).
  49. 50 Jahre CIT Coin Invest, Münzenwoche 19 December 2019.
  50. "Swiss shooting talers for 2015 mark festival in Wallis (Valais)". Coin World. Archived from the original on 2015-02-27. Retrieved 2015-02-27.
  51. 50 CHF Schützentaler Luzern 2020 Silber PP

Bibliography
  • Bruce, Colin R. II Unusual World Coins Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications, 2007, ISBN 0-89689-576-9
  • Krause, Chester L. & Mishler, Clifford Standard Catalog of World Coins 1801–1900, Krause Publications, 1996, ISBN 0-87341-427-6
  • Krause, Delbert Ray Swiss Shooting Talers and Medals, Whitman Publishing Company, 1965
  • Martin, Jean L. Les médailles de tir Suisse 1612–1939 Lausanne, 1972
  • Richter, Jürg Die Schützentaler und Schützenmedaillen der Schweiz, 2005, ISBN 3-924861-95-1
  • Haberling, Michael Swiss Shooting Festival Coins 1842 - 2015, 2015

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