Schützenfest Schützentaler

The Schützentaler: A Glorious Legacy of Swiss Numismatic Artistry

The Schützentaler is more than just a coin; it is a luminous embodiment of Swiss cultural heritage and artistry, minted to commemorate the illustrious Schützenfest, or shooting festivals, celebrated across the cantons of the Swiss Confederation. These coins, with their deep historical roots and exquisite craftsmanship, capture the essence of a grand tradition that spans decades.

Historical Origins and Significance

The Schützentaler tradition began in 1842 with the first issue minted for the Chur shooting festival. Crafted by the sovereign cantons of Switzerland, these coins were not merely currency but symbols of honor and precision. Each coin bore the esteemed mark of legal tender and was inscribed with a denomination of 5 Frankens, adhering to exacting standards of fineness. However, with Switzerland’s entry into the Latin Monetary Union in 1865, Schützentalers were no longer included in the Union’s official mintages. This led to their classification as semi-medallic, though their size and weight were consistent with regular 5 Franken coins, allowing them to circulate freely within the Swiss economy.

Artistic Design and Craftsmanship

Schützentalers are renowned for their breathtaking artistry and symbolic designs. Each coin is a masterpiece of high-relief engraving, showcasing intricate details that bring historical and patriotic scenes to life. The designs often feature cantonal symbols, revered military leaders, or majestic heraldic emblems, reflecting the rich tapestry of Swiss history and pride. Unlike their contemporary circulating counterparts, Schützentalers often boast unique and elaborate designs, with notable exceptions being the 1851 Geneva and 1855 Solothurn issues, which retained some similarities to regular coinage.

Evolution and Varied Materials

Throughout the 19th century, the Schützentaler series evolved, culminating in eighteen distinct designs. The series began with the Chur festival coin in 1842 and concluded with the Bern issue in 1885. These coins were struck in various metals, including silver, gold, and white metal, though in limited quantities. This diversity in materials not only adds to their historical significance but also makes them highly prized among collectors. Each metal variant enhances the coin’s allure, making them objects of both numismatic and aesthetic value.

Rarity and Collectibility

Over time, the Schützentalers have become rare and coveted treasures. Many of these splendid coins have been lost, melted down, or otherwise removed from circulation, leaving only a precious few available to collectors today. This rarity, coupled with their historical and artistic value, makes surviving specimens exceptionally sought after. Coins from specific years or with distinctive designs are particularly prized, further elevating their status in the world of numismatics.

Enduring Legacy

Today, the Schützentaler stands as a brilliant testament to Swiss tradition and numismatic excellence. Each coin is not just a piece of currency but a vibrant artifact that captures the grandeur of the Schützenfest and the intricate beauty of Swiss minting artistry. These coins continue to enchant collectors and enthusiasts around the world, preserving their legacy as cherished symbols of Swiss heritage and numismatic brilliance for generations to come.

19th Century Kantonal Schützentaler

1842 Chur

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.

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

Year: 1842
Location: Chur
Denomination: 4 francs
Designer(s): Karl Friedrich Voigt
Diameter: 40 mm (1.57 in)
Coinage metal: Silver
Mintage: 4,256
Notes: 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.


	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

1847 Glarus

Obverse of coin. Coat of arms of Glarus in the center, encircled by oak and laurel. Inscription and date around the outer edge.

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.

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
Notes: 1,023 pieces melted. 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.


	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

1851 Geneva

Obverse of coin. "IHS" surrounded by rays, above the coat of arms of Geneva.

Reverse of coin. A wreath of oak and laurel surrounding the date and denomination. Inscription around the outer edge.

Year: 1851
Location: Geneva
Denomination: 10 francs
Designer(s): Antoine Bovy
Diameter: 48 mm (1.89 in)
Coinage metal: Silver
Mintage: 1,000
Notes: The design is identical to the regular 10 franc issues.


	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

1855 Solothurn

Helvetia seated, holding shield bearing the Swiss Cross, pointing left. Legend above.

Year: 1855
Location: Solothurn
Denomination: 5 francs
Designer(s): Antoine Bovy
Diameter: 37 mm (1.46 in)
Coinage metal: Silver
Mintage: 3,000
Notes: The design is identical to the regular 5 franc issues.


	Inscription	Translation
Obverse	HELVETIA	Switzerland
Reverse	5 Fr. 1855	5 francs 1855
Edge	EIDGEN. FREISCHIESEN SOLOTHURN 1855	Federal free shoot Solothurn 1855

1857 Bern

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.

Year: 1857
Location: Bern
Denomination: 5 francs
Designer(s): Ferdinand Korn
Diameter: 37 mm (1.46 in)
Coinage metal: Silver
Mintage: 5,191
Notes: Examples are known to have been struck in white metal.


	Inscription	Translation
Obverse	EHRE IST MEIN HOECHSTES ZIEL	Honor is my highest goal
Reverse	EIDGENÖSSISCHES FREISCHIESSEN IN BERN 1857 – 5 FRANKEN	Federal free shoot in Bern 1857 – 5 francs

1859 Zurich

Legend surrounding standing rifleman. Date below.

Legend above two rampant lions flanking three shields, one bearing the Swiss Cross. Denomination below.

Year: 1859
Location: Zürich
Denomination: 5 francs
Designer(s): Ferdinand Korn
Diameter: 37 mm (1.46 in)
Coinage metal: Silver
Mintage: 6,000


	Inscription	Translation
Obverse	EIDGENÖSSISCHES FREISCHIESSEN – 1859	Federal free shoot – 1859
Reverse	ZÜRICH – 5 FRANKEN	Zürich – 5 francs

1861 Stans

Legend surrounding Arnold Winkelried falling on the pikes of Habsburg soldiers.

Swiss Cross surrounded by rays. Legend along edge.

Year: 1861
Location: Stans
Denomination: 5 francs
Designer(s): Antoine Bovy, Lukas Ferdinand Schlöth
Diameter: 37 mm (1.46 in)
Coinage metal: Silver
Mintage: 6,000
Notes: Essai pieces are known to have been struck in white metal.


	Inscription	Translation
Obverse	ARNOLD WINKELRIED	Arnold Winkelried
Reverse	EIDGENÖSSISCHES SCHÜTZENFEST IN NIDWALDEN – 1861	Federal shooting festival in Nidwalden – 1861

1863 La Chaux-de-Fonds

Helvetia seated, pointing left, holding Swiss shield. Legend above, denomination below.

Crossed standards and rifles intertwined with wreath. Coat of arms of canton of Neuchâtel superimposed. Radiant Swiss cross above. Legend and date along edge.

Year: 1863
Location: La Chaux-de-Fonds
Denomination: 5 francs
Designer(s): Antoine Bovy, Jacob Siber
Diameter: 37 mm (1.46 in)
Coinage metal: Silver
Mintage: 6,000
Notes: Examples are known to have been struck in white metal.


	Inscription	Translation
Obverse	HELVETIA – 5 FRANCS	Switzerland – 5 francs
Reverse	TIR FEDERAL A LA CHAUX-DE-FONDS – JÚILLET 1863	Federal shoot in La Chaux-de-Fonds – July 1863

1865 Schaffhausen

Helvetia seated, holding wreath. Boy holding an apple shot through by arrow, to right of Helvetia.

Coat of arms of canton of Schaffhausen superimposed over Swiss cross. Legend and date along edge. Denomination at bottom.

Year: 1865
Location: Schaffhausen
Denomination: 5 francs
Designer(s): Antoine Bovy
Diameter: 37 mm (1.46 in)
Coinage metal: Silver
Mintage: 10,000
Notes: Two examples are known to have been struck in gold.


	Inscription	Translation
Obverse	None	None
Reverse	EIDGENÖSSISCHES SCHÜTZENFEST IN SCHAFFHAUSEN 1865 – 5 Fr.	Federal shooting festival in Schaffhausen 1865 – 5 francs

1867 Schwyz

Rampant lion, holding sword, supporting shield. Lion's right back paw standing on a quiver of arrows. Legend on either side of lion.

Weapons and standards crossed behind Swiss shield, wreath below. Legend and date along edge. Denomination at bottom.

Year: 1867
Location: Schwyz
Denomination: 5 francs
Designer(s): Antoine Bovy
Diameter: 37 mm (1.46 in)
Coinage metal: Silver
Mintage: 8,000
Notes:


	Inscription	Translation
Obverse	KANTON SCHWYZ	Canton of Schwyz
Reverse	EIDGENÖSSISCHES SCHÜTZENFEST IN SCHWYZ 1867 – 5 Fr.	Federal shooting festival in Schwyz 1867 – 5 francs

1869 Zug

Hans Landwing, in full military dress, holding standard aloft in left hand, battle axe in right. Legend and date along edge. "1422" in exurge.

Feathered cap over two shields, superimposed over crossed rifles and wreath of oak and laurel. Legend along edge, denomination at bottom.

Year: 1869
Location: Zug
Denomination: 5 francs
Designer(s): Antoine Bovy
Diameter: 37 mm (1.46 in)
Coinage metal: Silver
Mintage: 6,000
Notes: Four examples are known to have been struck in gold.


	Inscription	Translation
Obverse	HANS LANDWING RETTET DAS PANNER BEI ARBEDO – 1422	Hans Landwing saves the banner at Arbedo – 1422
Reverse	EIDGENÖSSISCHES SCHÜTZENFEST 1869 IN ZUG – 5 Fr.	Federal shooting festival 1869 in Zug – 5 francs

1872 Zürich

Helvetia standing, holding wreath aloft in left hand, supporting coat of arms of Zürich in right. Gears and crops at feet. Legend along edge.

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.

Year: 1872
Location: Zürich
Denomination: 5 francs
Designer(s): Fritz Landry
Diameter: 37 mm (1.46 in)
Coinage metal: Silver
Mintage: 10,000
Notes: The obverse design was used on a shooting medal issued for the same festival.


	Inscription	Translation
Obverse	FÜR FREIHEIT UND VATERLAND	For freedom and the fatherland
Reverse	EIDGENÖSSISCHES SCHÜTZENFEST IN ZÜRICH 1872 – 5 Fr.	Federal shooting festival in Zürich 1872 – 5 francs

1874 St. Gallen

Bearded general, kneeling, holding standard in left hand, holding sword aloft and pointing toward the sun. "1474 A 1476" in exurge.

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.

Year: 1874
Location: St. Gallen
Denomination: 5 francs
Designer(s): Fritz Landry
Diameter: 37 mm (1.46 in)
Coinage metal: Silver
Mintage: 15,000


	Inscription	Translation
Obverse	1474 A 1476	1474 to 1476
Reverse	EIDGENÖSS. SCHÜTZENFEST IN ST. GALLEN – 1874	Federal shooting festival in St. Gallen – 1874
Edge	None

1872 Lausanne

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 1839 and 1876. Legend along edge above, denomination in exurge below.

City view of Lausanne. Legend and date above.

Year: 1876
Location: Lausanne
Denomination: 5 francs
Designer(s): Edouard Durussel
Diameter: 37 mm (1.46 in)
Coinage metal: Silver
Mintage: 20,000
Notes: The reverse design was used on a shooting medal issued for the same festival.


	Inscription	Translation
Obverse	POUR ETRE FORTS SOYONS UNIS – 5 F	Let us be strong and united – 5 francs
Reverse	TIR FÉDÉRAL DE 1876 LAUSANNE	Federal shoot of 1876 Lausanne

1879 Basel

Front–facing male in regalia, holding long sword. Legend along edge.

Cockatrice in center surrounded by legend and date. Denomination below. Shields of the Swiss cantons along edge.

Year: 1879
Location: Basel
Denomination: 5 francs
Designer(s): Edouard Durussel
Diameter: 37 mm (1.46 in)
Coinage metal: Silver
Mintage: 30,000
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.


	Inscription	Translation
Obverse	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
Reverse	EIDG. SCHÜTZENFEST IN BASEL 1879 – 5 Fr.	Federal shooting festival in Basel 1879 – 5 francs

1881 Fribourg

Two seated soldiers, one wielding crossbow and one battle axe, supporting shields below standing Helvetia holding Swiss flag. Legend along edge, "1481" in exurge.

Swiss cross above city view of Fribourg. Legend and date along edge, denomination at bottom.

Year: 1881
Location: Fribourg
Denomination: 5 francs
Designer(s): Edouard Durussel
Diameter: 37 mm (1.46 in)
Coinage metal: Silver
Mintage: 30,000


	Inscription	Translation
Obverse	ENTRÉE DE FRIBOURG & SOLEURE DANS LA CONFÉDÉRATION SUISSE – 1481	Entry of Fribourg and Solothurn into the Swiss Confederation – 1481
Reverse	TIR FÉDÉRAL À FRIBOURG 1881 – 5 Fr	Federal shoot in Fribourg 1881 – 5 francs

1883 Lugano

Seated Helvetia and nude man. Helvetia is holding a sword and shield bearing the Swiss cross; nude man is holding a lyre. The figures are seated above a stone tunnel with train emerging. Legend along edge at top, denomination at bottom.

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.

Year: 1883
Location: Lugano
Denomination: 5 francs
Designer(s): Edouard Durussel
Diameter: 37 mm (1.46 in)
Coinage metal: Silver
Mintage: 30,000


	Inscription	Translation
Obverse	LIBERTADE INERME É DE' TIRANNI AGEVOL PREDA – 5 Fr.	Defenseless liberty is easy prey for tyrants – 5 francs
Reverse	TIRO FEDERALE IN LUGANO 1883	Federal shoot in Lugano 1883

1885 Bern

Standing Helvetia holding sword and shield, bear behind. Legend along edge.

Coat of arms of Bern superimposed over crossed rifles and wreaths. Swiss cross above. Legend and date along edge, denomination below.

Year: 1885
Location: Bern
Denomination: 5 francs
Designer(s): Edouard Durussel, Christian Bühler
Diameter: 37 mm (1.46 in)
Coinage metal: Silver
Mintage: 25,000
Notes: Examples are known to have been struck in white metal.


	Inscription	Translation
Obverse	DEM BUND ZUM SCHUTZ DEM FEIND ZUM TRUTZ	The Federation to protect, the enemy to defy
Reverse	EIDGENÖSSISCHES SCHÜTZENFEST IN BERN 1885 – 5 Fr.	Federal shooting festival in Bern 1885 – 5 francs

1892 Glarus 1892 Zurich 1893 Binnigen 1893 Geneva 1894 Thun 1 895 St. Gallen 1895 Winterthur 1891 Morges

1896 Baden 1897 Altdorf 1897 Olten 1897 Sissach 1898 Ennetmoos 1898 Neuchatel 1899 Engelberg 1899 Wohlen

1900 Armrisweil 1901 Luzern 1901 Hergiswil 1902 Küssnacht 1902 Zug

1903 Herisau 1903 Maienfeld 1903 Monthey 1906 Teufen