1889 Mendrisio
Actual 46 mm size by Johnson, Milano
Obverse
Raising their right Schwurhand – an oath gesture in traditional depictions of the Rütlischwur.
Three Landamänner (canton chiefs) nobles: One of Walter Fürst of Uri, One of Werner Stauffacher of Schwyz, and One of Arnold von Melchtal of Unterwalden.
Three founding fathers, hereby known as the "Three Tells" - Trust in strong kinship, of everlasting unity and brotherhood of men.
Three Oath Takers, resolutely staunch in fervent belief and devotion to the foundational birth of Old Swiss Confederacy, through solemn utterance of virtuous principles and values of the legendary Rütlischwur Oath.
In the background, jubilant fellowship of a trio of men raising their right Schwurhand too, in celebration of everlasting brotherhood of this fabled unity.
Inscriptions
GRÜTLI 1307 - Rütli, a meadow above Lake Uri near Seelisberg in the year of 1307.
Reverse
The Swiss Cross, allegory of the Confederacy, with brilliantly stylized rays depicting the virtues and values of the unity resonating across the lands.
Noble feathered hat over twin blazons of the venue of the shooting competition Mendrisio and of the great Canton where it resides in, Ticino.
A pair of laurel and oaken flora branches to be given as the winner’s garland, upon all champions of the shot.
Background
The Rütlischwur the legendary oath taken at the foundation of the Old Swiss Confederacy by the representatives of the three founding forest cantons, Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden, traditionally dated to 1307. It is named for the site of the oath-taking, the Rütli, a meadow above Lake Uri near Seelisberg.
This oath of the mentioned three representatives namely Walter Fürst of Uri, Werner Stauffacher of Schwyz and Arnold von Melchtal of Unterwalden, took place in Walter Fürst's house in Altdorf and basically consists of a promise to meet again on 1 August on the Rütli meadow and to bring with them leading and brave men of the three cantons to decide upon a common action plan.
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Rütlischwur German wording |
Approximate English translation |
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Wir wollen sein ein einzig Volk von Brüdern, |
We want to be a single People of brethren, |
The founding fathers of the three oath takers or Eidgenossen during the 16th century became also known as the “Three Tells”.
In memory of the legendary Rütlischwur Oath of everlasting unity and brotherhood of men by the “Three Tells” - founding fathers of the Old Suisse Confederacy, namely the leader-representatives of the three forest cantons, Walter Fürst of Uri, Werner Stauffacher of Schwyz, and Arnold von Melchtal of Unterwalden.