Exclusive Presentation of the Latest Commemorative Coin: The 100-Franc Gold Vreneli Returns After 100 Years
By Swissmint
Under the name “Federal Commemorative Coins,” Swissmint produces exclusive collector’s coins in limited editions. The launch of the new Gold Vreneli, paying homage to the original from 1925, marks a significant milestone in Swiss numismatic history. The coin was presented for the first time exclusively at the World Money Fair 2025.
Presentation at the World Money Fair: The design of the new 100-franc coin remained a secret until the last moment. Photo: Swissmint.
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 100-franc Gold Vreneli from 1925, a special edition will be released on 1 July 2025. The coin “100 Years of the 100-Franc Vreneli” reflects the historical design and legacy of the original, honouring the rich tradition of Swiss coin artistry.
The commemorative coin was unveiled exclusively at the World Money Fair in Berlin, the world’s largest coin fair. As this year’s guest of honour, Swissmint celebrated the presentation of this historically significant coin in a truly special setting.
Historical Model: A supersized gold coin from 1925. Photo: Swissmint.
With the new Vreneli coin, another milestone in Swiss numismatic history has been set. The Gold Vreneli from 1925 is considered Switzerland’s largest and most beautiful gold coin. Of the 5,000 coins originally minted, over 1,000 were later melted down, with surviving pieces fetching up to CHF 20,000 at auction.
Like the 1925 original, the Gold Vreneli is made from a 900 gold alloy, with a diameter of 35 mm and a weight of 32.258 g. The obverse of the new Gold Vreneli incorporates elements from the original design, combining the radiant Swiss cross above the Swiss Alps with gentian and alpine rose motifs.
A memorial for a golden lady: The new Vreneli commemorative coin. Photo: Swissmint.
Bridging Old and New Histories
The depiction of Vreneli’s portrait symbolises her gaze towards the future, bridging past and present. Her head is adorned with a laurel wreath, representing wisdom and triumph, alongside the edelweiss, a symbol of Switzerland. The anniversary dates are engraved on the right, framed by the inscription “CONFOEDERATIO HELVETICA.”
On the reverse, the left half displays the denomination of 100 francs, while the right half features the original 100-franc Vreneli bust. Additional gentian and alpine roses complete the design. The signature of the artist Chiara Principe and a subtle “B” for Bern are also visible.
Preserving Tradition and Creating a New Collector’s Item
“The Gold Vreneli is arguably Switzerland’s most iconic gold coin. With the centenary of the 100-franc Gold Vreneli, we aim to preserve this tradition while creating a new, unique collector’s item that will captivate everyone. The World Money Fair is the perfect venue to celebrate the coin and present it to a broad audience,” says Jan Niklas Betz, Deputy Managing Director & Head of Marketing/Sales at Swissmint.
The coin will be issued in a strictly limited edition of 2,500 pieces with a retail price of 3,500 francs. It will be available from 1 July 2025 in the official Swissmint online shop.
Each of These Commemorative Coins is a miniature Work of Art
The Federal Mint Swissmint mints Swiss francs on behalf of the Swiss Confederation. Since 1855, Swiss francs have been produced in the heart of Switzerland, and since 1906, in Bern’s popular Kirchenfeld district. Since 1936, Swissmint has also issued commemorative coins to mark significant historical and cultural events or to honour notable individuals. Each of these commemorative coins is a miniature work of art, crafted with unique artistic and technical expertise.
Federal Mint Swissmint
The Federal Mint Swissmint produces Swiss circulation coins for daily transactions. For the numismatic market, Swissmint regularly issues circulation and commemorative coins in special quality. The commemorative coins in bimetal, silver, and gold are minted with an official, government-guaranteed face value and are produced in various finishes.
