1881 Fribourg
Actual 47 mm size by Edoardo Durussel, Berna
Obverse.
Maidenly personifications of Freiburg and Soleure, sit on either side of regal Helvetia, holding a precious possession - the reunified covenant script of union, in celebration of the 400th jubilee "1481-1881". Accompanied by their own coat of arms, swords at the ready in perpetual defense of their longstanding unity, joyful in the fruit of their hard-won peace.
Helvetia salutes this everlasting kinship, welcoming her comrades of the Confederacy, pledging sanctuary for her union - for One, for All.
Inscription:
400th Anniversaire de la Réunion de Fribourg et Soleure à la Suisse.
Reverse.
Victory laurels of Fribourg and Solothurn flora encircle the famed landmarks of Fribourg.
The recognisable Gothic-styled St. Nicholas Cathedral, built 1283-1430 (76 meters high Tower completed in 1490 and houses 11 bells) upon a rocky outcrop 50 meters above river Saane, dominates the medieval town below. Its imposing façade befitting of its position as the Episcopal seat of the dioceses of Fribourg, Lausanne and Geneva.
The suspended Freiburg Bridge built in 1834 by Joseph Chaley, erstwhile the longest suspension bridge in the world, connected people, goods and trade from the east to the west.
Background.
“ – Fribourg Joining the Swiss Confederation
Its name is derived from German frei (free) and Burg (fort).
Beginning at the time of its inception, Fribourg (founded 1157 by the Berthold IV, Duke of Zähringen) built a city-state, where lands it controlled lay some distance away. When the dukes of Zähringen died out in 1218, the city was transferred to the related Kyburg family.
The city was then sold to the Habsburgs in 1277. Trade and industry began as early as the mid-13th century. In the early period, the city developed rapidly, which led to expansions reflecting the economic boom in Fribourg. The 14th century was dominated by trade, and cloth and leather production, which brought the city recognition in Central Europe by 1370.
In 1339, Fribourg participated alongside the Habsburgs and the County of Burgundy in the Battle of Laupen against Bern and its Swiss Confederacy allies. The treaty with Bern was renewed in 1403. The leaders of the city then began a territorial acquisition, in which they gradually brought more nearby land under their control.
The mid-15th century was shaped by various military conflicts. First, considerable losses in a war against Savoy had to be made good. The Savoyard influence on the city grew, and the Habsburgs ceded it to them in 1452. It remained under the control of Savoy until the Burgundian Wars in 1477. As an ally of Bern, Fribourg participated in the war against Charles I of Burgundy, thereby bringing more land under its control. After the city was released from the sphere of influence of Savoy, it attained the status of Free Imperial City in 1478.
The city and its canton joined the Swiss Confederation in 1481.
– Solothurn Joining the Swiss Confederation
Its name is derived from Salodurum, a Roman-era settlement.
During the Early Middle Ages, Solothurn was part of the Kingdom of Lotharingia (Lorraine). After the collapse of Lotharingia, it became part of the Second Kingdom of Burgundy. In 1033, the Kingdom of Burgundy became part of the Holy Roman Empire and Solothurn gained some independence. In 1127, the dukes of Zähringen then acquired it.
After the extinction of the Zähringer line in 1218, it became a free imperial city under the Holy Roman Emperor. In 1344, Solothurn acquired the right to appoint own Schultheiss from the Count of Buchegg, which was confirmed by Emperor Charles IV in 1360.
As the city grew in power, it bound the Monastery of St. Ursus more closely to the city. In 1251 the city defeated claims made by the Monastery on the right to appoint the Schultheiss.
In 1382 the Habsburgs attacked the city, involving Solothurn in the Battle of Sempach. By the treaty of two years later, the Habsburgs renounced all claims to the territory of the city. The latter was expanded by acquisition of neighboring lands in the 15th century, roughly up to the today's canton area.
In 1481, it obtained full membership in the Swiss Confederation.”
In memory of the 400th year anniversary of the joining of the cantons of Fribourg and Solothurn, into the Old Swiss Confederation in 1481.