Swissmint as Guest of Honour at the World Money Fair

Swissmint can be proud of a record that reflects its successful history. According to Guinness World Records, Swissmint produces the world’s oldest circulation coin that is still legal tender: the Swiss 10-rappen piece. It refers to the founding of the Swiss Confederation in the 19th century. In this context, a common currency was a central means of making the new national identity more attractive to its citizens. For – despite what the German poet Schiller might suggest – Switzerland as a nation has only existed since 1848. The federal law that established its current coinage was passed in 1850, introducing the Swiss franc.

Few people know that the first Swiss franc coins were not minted in Bern but produced by the Monnaie de Paris. The old mint in Bern, known as the “Berner Burger”, was initially unable to produce coins on such a large scale because of its outdated equipment. But this was quickly remedied. The mint was modernised, steam-powered knuckle-joint presses were acquired, and soon, limits were reached – the old mint near the Swiss Federal Parliament was too small, too noisy and the risk of the building catching fire was too great. That is why it was decided in 1893 to build a new mint. A magnificent industrial palace with many numismatic decorations was created. Its inauguration in 1906 was attended by the whole population.

Rooted in Tradition, Looking to the Future

The fact that the building is now open again to the whole population is part of Swissmint’s new policy, as the mint has been pursuing a completely new PR strategy for around two years. While Swissmint used to be a high-security building that nobody was allowed to enter, today there are guided tours and a boutique.

There, Swissmint offers Switzerland’s latest special coins. And these special coins convey the image of a modern country. Figures such as Heidi and her grandfather are a thing of the past. Today, Switzerland is known for international research projects such as Cern, for engineering precision such as the construction of the Gotthard Base Tunnel, for its stable currency and for being one of the most productive economies in the world.

Contemporary coins are offered in equally contemporary and innovative ways. Social media play a central role in this. Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok – Swissmint has become a master of presenting its content in a way that is ideally suited to its target group and the medium used. Boredom is not an option.

At least as important for Swissmint is the direct contact with collectors and – even more important! – those who are not collectors yet. They are brought into contact with Swissmint through special guided tours of the building, participation in national events and many other measures.

One of the measures was to refresh somewhat dusty online image of the old federal agency behind Swissmint. The new brand name “Federal special coin”s has played a role in this since 2022. And what’s even more important: there is a new, dedicated website for special coins in addition to the traditional homepage of the federal mint at https://www.swissmint.ch. At www.sondermuenze.ch, users are welcomed by a modern website that evokes emotions and uses many pictures to show why coin collecting is fun. Since this year, the modern online shop at www.swissmintshop.ch has ensured that collectors from all over the world have an equal chance of acquiring one of the coveted special coins.

Swissmint Is the Guest of Honour at the 2025 World Money Fair

Part of this new policy is, of course, Swissmint’s appearance as the guest of honour at the 2025 World Money Fair. Plans for how to present the mint to an international audience have been underway for months. First of all, there will be two large Swissmint booths in top position. You can look forward to exciting exhibits and sweet surprises – indeed, the Swiss will still be proud of their chocolate 100 years from now!

100 Years of the 100-Franc Vreneli

And then, of course, there is the new 100-franc gold coin issued by Swissmint for the 100th anniversary of the 100-franc Vreneli. Its design remains a big secret, to be revealed only during the Media Forum of the World Money Fair. The Forum will be open to the public. So you can be there live and be among the first to see the face of the new Vreneli coin.

Of course, you already know what the Vreneli is: The Swiss call their gold coin “Vreneli”. Vreneli is short for the name Verena, and Verena has been a typical Swiss name since the Middle Ages. In the 19th century, any fresh, unspoiled country girl was referred to as Vreneli. But how did the country girl end up on a gold coin? Well, at the end of the 19th century, politicians were fed up with the boring personifications on 20-franc coins. They found that the serious-looking ladies in a somewhat Greco-Roman-international style no longer represented the young Switzerland they lived in. They launched a design competition that was won by Fritz Landry. He created a woman’s head which, with minor modifications, was to become the motif of the new obverse.

Today, the Vreneli is an important part of Swiss identity. That is why local patriots are still debating whether Fritz Landry was inspired by Françoise Kramer Egli from Neuchâtel, Rosa Kruck-Tännler from Zürich or Verena Weidmann from Lucerne when he created his motif. But the intention behind Landry’s design was something quite different – he did not create a portrait but a symbolic figure with a collar embroidered with edelweiss decorations and an elaborate braided hairstyle in front of an impressive mountain backdrop.

At first, there were only 20-franc coins. Between 1911 and 1922, gold coins of 10 francs were also minted. And the very rare 100-franc coins, which were only produced in 1925, are famous and sought after by collectors.

By the way, these coins were not called Vreneli at the time, that came later. At first they were circulation coins like any other, as they circulated at face value. They were given their name when this changed. After the Second World War, Switzerland initially wanted to revive its gold currency and minted about 20 million gold coins with the year 1935. But the rising price of gold made this idea obsolete. Instead of using their Vrenelis to make payments, the Swiss saved them for a rainy day or gave them to their godchildren for baptisms and confirmations. Everyone in Switzerland has probably received a Vreneli as a gift at some point in their life.

That is why the Vreneli still plays a central role in Switzerland, and many collectors and not-yet collectors are looking forward to the first 100-franc special coin of 2025, which will be issued by Switzerland exactly 100 years after the 1925 Vreneli.

What Does Swissmint Have in Store for Collectors at the World Money Fair?

This special coin will not be available at the World Money Fair, as it will not be officially issued until 1 July 2025. But Swissmint created an exclusive BU coin set, including a World Money Fair medal in proof quality, that can be purchased at the fair. As few as 500 strictly limited, numbered coin sets will be issued. By the way, the coin sets will not be completely sold out on the first day, as Swissmint will sell a fixed number on each day of the World Money Fair.

Swissmint will also be raffling a special 25-franc gold coin worth CHF 450 every day. And if you do not win the coin, there is always the sweet consolation of Swiss chocolate at the Swissmint booth.