In the 19th century, our country was one of the poorest states in Europe and high unemployment forced many Swiss to emigrate. The creation of jobs was therefore greeted with open arms. With this in mind, Schwyz-born Karl Elsener (1860 – 1918) founded a cutlery workshop in Ibach in 1884. He learned the trade during his apprenticeship in Zug and his time as a journeyman in France and southern Germany. Karl Elsener came up with the idea of manufacturing soldiers' knives which had previously been made in Germany in Switzerland. However, his business was too small to obtain orders from the army. For this reason, in 1891 he founded the Swiss cutlers' association with the aim of manufacturing the soldiers' knives for the army together with other cutlers in Switzerland. The first delivery was made the same year. At the time, the knife pioneer would probably never have dreamed that it would one day become a world-famous company.

The soldier's knife was very robust but also relatively heavy. So Karl Elsener developed a lighter and above all more elegant knife with even more functions. He called this pocket knife model the "Officer's and Sports Knife" and had it legally protected in 1897. However, unlike the soldier's knife, the Officer's Knife did not become official army equipment. This did not affect its success. The "Swiss Army Knife", as the Officer's Knife was called for export, began to conquer the world after the Second World War. US soldiers based in Europe bought them in large quantities as a popular souvenir for when they returned home. The establishment on the souvenir market in the 1970s, but also the high significance of the products in terms of quality, functionality, innovation and iconic design have helped Victorinox[1] to achieve worldwide recognition. Victorinox AG is now run by the fourth generation of the Elsener family.

On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Karl Elsener's death, Swissmint is dedicating a 20-franc silver commemorative coin to the now famous "Swiss Army Knife". It was designed by the graphic artist Nadja Baltensweiler from Lucerne.

At the same time as the “Swiss Army Knife” coin, the Christmas coin set will be the final issue of the year. It is suitable as an original Christmas present. Alongside this year's circulation coins, the special coin set contains a medal with a trumpet-blowing Christmas angel. The angel and the snow stars on the medal and the case convey the Christmas spirit. Jenny Leibundgut from Bern designed this stylish gift idea.

The new commemorative coin and the coin set will be available from 10 September 2018 onwards as limited editions at www.swissmintshop.ch, as well from some coin dealers and banks.

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. Coins in bimetal, silver and gold bear an official nominal value and are available in various minting qualities. Swissmint is also the official authority for public authorities seeking authenticity checks.

[1] Victorinox = is a portmanteau word from Victoria, the first name of the company founder’s mother, and inox for stainless steel.

New "Swiss Army Knife" Swiss commemorative coin and 2018 Christmas coin set