1900 Amrisweil
Actual 45 mm size by Franz Homberg, Bern / Sallmann, Amriswil
Obverse.
The noblemen stylishly bedecked in customary finery, with the insignia of the imperial double-headed eagle, heraldic beast of the Holy Roman Emperor. Flaunting a tri-feathered traditional hat, a reflection of their most noble pedigree.
The distinguished standard bearer, dignified in composure, holds upright the flagpole, heralding the colours of his esteemed patron lord. The other noblemen strides forward with his hand to the hilt of his trusty blade, clearly postured to engage in a baneful manner.
On the receiving end of such assail is a traditionally garbed maiden of Swiss heritage. She exhibits no fear, her bare feet depicting her sincerity of purpose. Revealing an open hand towards her oncoming opponent to avert further conflict, her other hand clutches a rolled scroll, her instrument of choice to declare her intentions of peace.
In the background stands the Rheintorturm, the great bulwark bastion of Konstanz city, site of many great battles, and in the far distance lies the ancient Massif Immenberg, the quiet spectator to the endless number historical events, across passages of time.
Reverse.
Lush leafy laurels nestle against the fine blazon arms of Thurgau canton, with the famed Perkussionsstutzer sharpshooters’ rifle of choice hanging off the left top corner.
Background.
The Treaty of Basel
The Treaty of Basel of 22 September 1499 was an armistice following the Battle of Dornach, concluding the Swabian War, fought between the Swabian League and the Old Swiss Confederacy.
Jurisdiction over Thurgau, previously an Imperial loan to the city of Constance, was to pass to the Swiss Confederacy. The imperial ban and all embargoes against the Swiss cantons were to discontinue. In 19th-century Swiss historiography, the treaty was presented as an important step towards de facto independence of the Swiss Confederacy from the Holy Roman Empire.
The Confederacy was substantially strengthened as a polity within the Empire by the treaty, and an immediate consequence of this was the accession of Basel and Schaffhausen in 1501, as part of the expansion (1481–1513) from the late medieval Eight Cantons to the early modern Thirteen Cantons.
Battle of Dornach
The Battle of Dornach was a battle fought on 22 July 1499 between the troops of Emperor Maximilian I and the Old Swiss Confederacy close to the Swiss village of Dornach. The battle turned into a decisive defeat for Maximilian, and concluded the Swabian War between the Swiss and the Swabian League.
On 19 July, Imperial troops marching on Dorneck Castle were sighted, and Solothurn called Bern for help. Bern sent 5000 troops, Zurich 400, and smaller contingents from Uri, Unterwalden and Zug also started to move to Dornach. On 20 July, 600 troops left Lucerne. The Austrians had about 16,000 troops. Many of these were bathing in the Birs. The first attacks on 22 July were executed by the troops of Bern, Zurich and Solothurn, but they were beaten back. Only with the arrival of the reinforcements from Lucerne and Zug, which suddenly broke out of the woods "with horns and shouting" were the Imperial troops turned to flight after several hours' fighting.
The battle of Dornach was the last armed conflict between the Swiss and any member state of the Holy Roman Empire. The Treaty of Basel of 22 September was the conclusion of the war. It was a strategic victory for the Swiss Confederacy, revoking the imperial ban against the Swiss cantons, legalising the alliance of the League of the Ten Jurisdictions with the Confederates and placing the Thurgau under Swiss jurisdiction.
In memory of the Treaty of Basel, an agreement between the Confederacy and the Swabian league of the Holy Roman Emperor, Maximilian I, whereby the Canton of Thurgau was ceded to the confederates.