100 Years Swiss Franc in the Principality of Liechtenstein
While many nations tend to overuse commemorative coins today, issues of the Principality of Liechtenstein are true rarities. The last issue was released in 2019; and before that one commemorative coin was issued in 2006.
Content
Using the latest embossing technology, the Rhine Valley is depicted in impressive relief
Description of the Coin
One side is a highly detailed three-dimensional colored model of the Rhine Valley in Ultra Deep Relief. The Swiss territory on the left is marked by small Swiss crosses; to the right of the Liechtenstein territory are small Ducal hats. The inscription reads: 100 JAHRE SCHWEIZER FRANKEN IM FÜRSTENTUM LIECHTENSTEIN (100 years Swiss Franc in the Principality of Liechtenstein); on the rim the names of the Liechtenstein municipalities.
Liechtenstein / 100 Franken / Silver .9999 / 1 kg / 100 mm / Mintage: 100.
Liechtenstein / 25 Franken / Silver .9999 / 5 oz / 65 mm / Mintage: 500.
Liechtenstein / 10 Franken / Silver .9999 / 2 oz / 50 mm / Mintage: 1,000.
Liechtenstein / 5 Franken / Silver .9999 / 1 oz / 38.61 mm / Mintage: 5,000.
Liechtenstein / 100 Franken / Gold .9999 / 1 oz / 33 mm / Mintage: 150.
The other side depicts the crowned coat of arms of Liechtenstein; around it FÜRSTENTUM LIECHTENSTEIN / HUNDERT FRANKEN (Principality of Liechtenstein / Hundred Francs) on a frosted surface.
All coins were minted by B. H. Mayer’s Kunstprägeanstalt, Munich.
Special technologies on gold and silver coins with a weight of at least one oz: smartminting® (Ultra Deep Relief); color application.
Liechtenstein / 10 Franken / Gold .9999 / 0.5 g / 11 mm / Mintage: 5,000.
Description of the Small Gold Coin
One side depicts the territory of Liechtenstein; the Swiss territory on the left is marked with small Swiss crosses; to its right the Ducal hats of Liechtenstein. The inscription reads: 100 JAHRE SCHWEIZER FRANKEN IM FÜRSTENTUM LIECHTENSTEIN 1924 – 2024 (100 years Swiss Franc in the Principality of Liechtenstein 1924-2024).
The other side depicts the crowned coat of arms of Liechtenstein; around it FÜRSTENTUM LIECHTENSTEIN / ZEHN FRANKEN (Principality of Liechtenstein / Ten Francs).
Background
It is remarkable that the government of Liechtenstein considers the monetary union with Switzerland to be important enough to dedicate a commemorative coin to the 100-year anniversary of the Swiss franc in the Principality.
Equally remarkable is the decision to use state-of-the-art minting technology for this purpose. In 2023, CIT caused a sensation among collectors around the world with its Grand Canyon issue. Now the same technology is being applied to a depiction of the Rhine Valley. The coin thus illustrates the region that is economically united by the Swiss franc.
The end of the Grisonian Rhine Valley. Image: Petermichaelgenner via Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0.
These close ties date back to the period of the First World War: At that time, Liechtenstein was linked to Austria by a customs union. Switzerland nevertheless supported the country by sending food and accepting its neutrality. After the war, Liechtenstein ceased the union with Austria and aligned itself with Switzerland: The Postal Treaty was signed in 1920, and the Customs Treaty in 1923. The Swiss franc was introduced as Liechtenstein’s official currency in 1924 without a specific treaty. It was not until 1980 that the two countries signed a treaty establishing the framework for their monetary union.
Without the close economic cooperation with Switzerland, Liechtenstein and its about 40,000 inhabitants would hardly have been able to obtain the level of prosperity that the Principality enjoys today. Every second Liechtenstein employee lives in another country – most of them in Switzerland.
If you want to experience all three dimensions of this coin, you have to watch the corresponding film.
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