Coins on Coins: When Numismatic Legends Are Reborn

Part of the success lies in the concept: it is a ‘coin on a coin’—or, in other words, a reinterpretation of a numismatic icon. Such an experiment is rare, and for good reason.

An Overview: Putting a Coin on another Coin—A Case for Specialists?

But first, an overview: when have past coin designs been referenced or even depicted in their entirety on commemorative coins in recent decades? Most readers will recall at least one example: the Greek €1 circulation coin features an owl originally depicted on a tetradrachma coin from ancient Athens (5th century BC). In 2024, Luxembourg honoured the legendary “Feiersteppler” coin with a €2 commemorative coin. This design was created by Italian artist Chiara Principe, who also designed the Vreneli 2.0 in 2025—a hint that ‘coin on coin’ may indeed be a case for specialists?

Two Examples from German Numismatic History

Examples can also be found in the pre-euro era—for instance, the 10 DM commemorative coin “50 Years of the Deutsche Mark” from 1998, which featured depictions of various coins from the Deutsche Mark era, including the 1-pfennig, 2-pfennig, 5-pfennig, 10-pfennig, 50-pfennig, and 1-mark coins. Another example is the 10 mark coin from 1981 commemorating the 700th anniversary of coin minting in Berlin. Graphic artist Heinz Rodewald incorporated the obverse of a historical silver pfennig into the commemorative design.

A Numismatic World Tour

However, the subject is not as exotic as it may initially seem. Leading numismatic online catalogues list several thousand coins worldwide that depict earlier coins or elements of previous coin designs—consider the numerous modern issues that reinterpret numismatic icons such as the Morgan and Peace dollars.

An Honour or a Burden? The Artist’s Perspective

Chiara Principe, coin designer of the commemorative coin “100 Years of the 100-Franc Vreneli”, describes in an interview with the Swiss Mint the unique challenge of reinterpreting an iconic coin. She emphasises that it is both a great honour and an enormous challenge to reinterpret a historic coin design like the Vreneli. For her, such a commission is not just a professional project but, above all, a personal responsibility. She highlights that she has engaged deeply with the history, origin, and artistic significance of the Vreneli in order to establish an emotional connection to the design.

From Chiara Principe’s perspective, one of the greatest challenges was to translate the “emotional treasure” and iconic significance of the Vreneli for the Swiss population into a new design that preserves tradition while reflecting the spirit of contemporary Switzerland. In her conversation with the Swiss Mint, she points out that her goal was not to distort the coin’s cultural and emotional value but to allow it to live on in a modern form. In addition to art historical research, she found that exchanging ideas with Swiss friends helped her develop a deeper understanding of the emotional bond people have with the Vreneli.

Challenges in Designing a New Coin Based on a Well-Known Model

The interview with artist Chiara Principe conducted by the Swiss Mint highlights numerous issues and challenges that can arise when redesigning an iconic coin such as the 100-Franc Vreneli:

Respect for Historical Significance and Cultural Identity

The original coin holds deeply rooted symbolic and emotional significance for the population. A new interpretation must not distort or dilute this meaning.

An Excessive Modernisation Could Obscure the Original Design and Invite Criticism

Over-modernising the original motif could render it unrecognisable and provoke criticism. Conversely, an overly conservative approach might be perceived as uninspired or outdated. The challenge lies in evolving the coin’s visual identity without losing its iconic features.

Technical and Design Implementation

Despite a new design, the coin must maintain a high level of recognisability. The material, minting quality, and details must meet modern standards without altering the character of the historical coin.

Expectations of Collectors and the Public

Particularly with a well-known coin like the Vreneli, there are conservative collectors and enthusiasts who might reject any significant deviation from the original. At the same time, collectors and numismatists often expect an innovative design that offers real added value compared to the historical version.

The Challenge of Symbolism

The original Vreneli coin was unique as it was the only gold coin of the Latin Monetary Union to feature the portrait of a woman. A modern interpretation must ensure that the coin remains relevant not only visually but also symbolically.

Legal and Political Frameworks

Coin designs often have to comply with specific legal requirements or governmental approvals, which can impose creative restrictions. In countries with strong national symbols, a liberal approach to traditional elements can be perceived as politically sensitive.

Production Challenges

New design elements must be technically feasible—considerations include engraving techniques, minting processes, or new material combinations. Highly detailed designs might be difficult to implement in mass production or could result in quality fluctuations.

Copyright Challenges

Although historical coins like the Vreneli are often considered part of the public domain, copyright issues can still be relevant. Even older coin designs or inscriptions may be protected if the copyright term (typically 70 years after the creator’s death) has not expired, or if new rights have been registered. A notable example is the 2017 silver coin “Britannia Rules the Waves,” which had to be modified because it could not legally bear that inscription.

To avoid plagiarising an existing coin design, the new design must achieve a sufficient level of originality to be considered an independent work rather than merely a reproduction of the original. This requires a modern interpretation that stands out from the historical model—something Chiara Principe has accomplished with distinction.

Target Audience Engagement

While the new commemorative coin is of particular interest to numismatists, the challenge lies in reaching a broader audience and conveying the coin’s cultural value. Numismatists understand and appreciate historical contexts, design nuances, and the evolution of coinage history. For laypeople, however, the symbolic content of the coin can be less accessible, with the risk that the design may be perceived as niche.

Moreover, many people do not have a personal connection to coins as collectibles. While the Vreneli may be a well-known symbol in Switzerland, its historical significance is often unfamiliar to younger generations. This presents a communication challenge that Chiara Principe addresses in the interview when discussing the emotional connection to the Swiss population.

To make the coin appealing to a wider audience, additional explanations are needed—through exhibitions, media coverage, or digital formats. Storytelling around the design can help convey the “emotional treasure” of a coin, even if the motif is not immediately self-explanatory.

And Finally, a mint should be cautious not to reinterpret its own coin icons too frequently. Switzerland had already issued a commemorative coin in 2022 to mark the last mintage of the 10-franc Vreneli, and 2025 now marks the 100th anniversary of the 100-Franc Vreneli. There is a risk of collector fatigue if the Fünfliber were next in line. However, Swissmint has impressively demonstrated in recent years that it still has plenty of ideas beyond the realm of numismatics.