1898 Neuchatel
Actual 45 mm size by Fritz Landry, Neuchatel
Obverse.
Behold! Five gallant shooters, each in varied stance, do unleash their rounds with fervor at the grand gallery of this most noble shooting competition.
Amongst them, one, garbed in a flowing overcoat, doth raise his hat aloft in exuberant jubilation, for he doth firmly believe he hath struck the fabled bulls-eye of his mark, his heart swelling with triumph. Nearby, a venerable sage of the sport, distinguished in bearing and countenance, doth earnestly scrutinize his distant target, preparing his trusted rifle with utmost precision, readying himself for the fateful shot that may herald his glory.
A sharpshooter clad in military attire, resolute and steadfast, doth carefully examine his rifle, cocking its chamber with a practiced hand for yet another bold attempt. Meanwhile, two other participants, their brows furrowed in fierce concentration, do intently calibrate their aim, eyes fixed upon their own respective marks, as the world around them fades into obscurity.
Across the sweeping horizon, a breathtaking vista unfolds, revealing the proud venue set for this grand shooting festival. In the distance, yonder stands the noble Chasseral Ouest, the highest summit in Neuchâtel, a mighty sentinel that hath borne witness to the countless fables and legendary deeds that echo through these historic lands.
Moreover, let it be known that this remarkable shooting festival doth auspiciously coincide with the momentous fiftieth anniversary of the canton’s hard-fought independence. In yesteryears past, valiant kinsmen from all walks of life—of diverse backgrounds, trades, and esteemed guilds—did rise in righteous rebellion, casting aside the oppressive yoke of royalist dominion, thereby establishing the first free republic of Neuchâtel. This day stands as a testament to their courage and unity, celebrated with fervor and pride upon this hallowed ground!
Inscription.
PATRIE – Homeland
Reverse.
Behold the glorious heraldic eagle, emblem of the esteemed capital town of the canton Neuchâtel, perched majestically upon a bough of verdant laurel, symbolizing not only triumph but the noble aspirations of this proud land. With wings unfurled and gaze steadfast, it surveys the realm, a guardian of freedom and virtue.
In the background, a pair of resplendent standards doth proudly unfurl, each emblazoned with the emblem of the confederate Cross. This sacred insignia signifies the unbreakable unity of the cantons, a bond forged in the fires of courage and shared ideals, embodying the cherished virtues of independence and the inviolable rights of civil liberties, which all good citizens hold dear.
Yonder, the venerable Collegiate Church of Neuchâtel towers regally, its ancient stones whispering tales of devotion and resilience. Rising majestically from a charming tableau of traditional townhouses, each adorned with quaint façades, it stands as a sentinel over the bustling life below. Its lofty spire, reaching towards the heavens, serves as a beacon of faith, casting a watchful eye upon the faithful and the passersby, reminding all of the enduring spirit of this cherished community.
Thus, in this harmonious scene, the eagle and the Cross, alongside the hallowed church, weave together the rich tapestry of Neuchâtel’s heritage, where the past and present intertwine in a celebration of liberty, unity, and the enduring legacy of those who have come before.
Background.
Frederick I and his successors ruled the Principality of Neuchâtel in personal union with Prussia from 1708 until 1798. Later, Napoleon Bonaparte deposed King Frederick William III of Prussia as prince of Neuchâtel, during the Napoleonic Wars.
After the Liberation Wars the principality was restored to Frederick William III, the Congress of Vienna (1814–15), in its general settlement of territorial questions after the Napoleonic Wars, ordained that Neuchâtel (or Neuenburg) should have a dual status: it was to be a canton of the reorganized Swiss Confederation and, at the same time, a hereditary principality belonging personally to the king of Prussia but separate from the Prussian kingdom.Thus Neuchâtel became the first and only monarchy to join the otherwise entirely republican Swiss cantons.
This arrangement caused dissatisfaction among the people of Neuchâtel, and in March 1848, a revolution took place and established a free republic. In the same year, the Swiss Confederation was revising the constitution and was transformed into a Federation.
Revolution movements were at that time shaking all of France, Germany, Austria, and Italy, and the king then, Frederick William IV of Prussia, was preoccupied with his kingdom’s troubles, could take no effective counteraction at the time.
King Frederick did not cede immediately, and several attempts at counter-revolution took place, culminating in the Neuchâtel Crisis of 1856–57. In 1857, Frederick William, the then current Duke of Prussia, finally renounced the monarchy's claim on the area.
In the celebration of the 50thAnniversary of the Independence of Neuchâtel from 1848, where the canton had a peaceful revolution, ceding from monarchy rule by Prussia to become a Republic, and truly a free member of the Swiss Confederacy.