Two new commemorative coins issued: "Friedrich Dürrenmatt" and "fox"

Bern, 21.01.2021, 21.01.2021 - On 21 January 2021, the Federal Mint Swissmint will launch two new commemorative coins for coin collectors, enthusiasts and fans. Friedrich Dürrenmatt, one of the most successful German-language writers, who would have celebrated his hundredth birthday this year, is being honoured with a silver coin. Swissmint is concluding the three-part "Swiss forest animals" series with the "fox" bimetallic coin.

Friedrich Dürrenmatt 20-franc silver coin

Playwright, story-teller, essayist and artist, Friedrich Dürrenmatt was born on 5 January 1921 in Konolfingen near Bern and died on 14 December 1990 in Neuchâtel. Dürrenmatt began his studies in literature, philosophy and natural science in 1941. It was during this time that he produced his first literary texts, as well as ink drawings and paintings. In 1946, he abandoned his studies after deciding to become a writer. He is most famous for his plays The Visit and The Physicists, and the crime novels The Judge and his Hangman and The Pledge. His work has been translated into over 40 languages and has received numerous prizes, making him one of the most successful German-speaking writers of international renown.

His paintings and drawings, which are curated by the Centre Dürrenmatt Neuchâtel, are somewhat less famous.

By issuing the 20-franc silver coin on the occasion of Friedrich Dürrenmatt's 100th birthday, Swissmint is honouring this outstanding Swiss writer and artist for his art and literary work.

"Fox" 10-franc bimetallic coin from the Swiss forest animals series

The expression "sly as a fox" is deeply rooted and the pointy-faced predators appear in many fables and fairy tales in the role of the clever and cunning animal. Foxes live almost everywhere, whether in warm North Africa or in cold Siberia, and they know exactly how best to find food even under difficult conditions. After the deer and the hare, the fox is the third and last motif in the three-part "Swiss forest animals" series. The obverse of the commemorative 10-franc bimetallic coin was designed by graphic artist and designer Naomi Andrea Giewald from Eastern Switzerland. In the centre of the image is a fox's head. A fox's paw prints can also be seen on the outer ring.

New circulation coin sets

Also in January 2021, Swissmint will be issuing the new circulation coin sets in various versions with the "fox" 10-franc bimetallic coin. Alongside the popular classic "brilliant uncirculated" and "proof" versions, the birthday coin set and the much-loved baby coin set are also available.

Quality descriptions for coins

Uncirculated: minted in normal machine production, presented in a blister pack.

Folder: uncirculated coin presented in a smart, colour illustrated card folder with additional pictures and information in four languages on the coin subject and the artist.

Proof: highest minting quality, individual production, the coin die is used only around 500 times, coin planchets are polished and surface-treated in an elaborate process. Coins are individually packed in coin capsules, and sold in a presentation case complete with numbered certificate of authenticity.

The Federal Mint Swissmint

The Federal Mint Swissmint produces the country's coins for use in everyday payment transactions. The Federal Mint also regularly issues commemorative coins and coinage of a higher standard for the numismatic market. Commemorative coins in bimetal, silver or gold bear an official, state-guaranteed, nominal value and are available in various minting qualities.

Address for enquiries

Christoph Tanner
Head of Sales and Marketing Swissmint
Bernastrasse 28, 3003 Bern
Email: media@swissmint.ch
Web: www.swissmint.ch