2018 Switzerland Shooting Thaler – PCGS PR69DCAM – Stans Shooting Festival

2018 Switzerland Shooting Thaler Proof – PCGS PR69DCAM – Stans Shooting Festival

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Specifications

Country : Switzerland

Year of Issue: 2018

Face Value: 50 Francs

Weight: 25.00 g

Diameter: 37.00 mm

Mintage Limit: 1,750

Finish: Proof

Composition: .900 Fine Silver

Edge: Reeded (milled, serrated)

The obverse: Helvetia, the Swiss allegorical figure that represents liberty, is shown standing partially nude on a mountain wearing a Roman-style toga that only covers her below her breast area. She is shown holding a laurel wreath in her left hand, which is a symbol of the honors that are given to the festivals winners, and a rifle in her right hand, which is appropriate for the shooting tournament and as a symbol of the Swiss citizen solder.  In the background there is typical Swiss scenery including a town from the Alps and above appears the inscription for this year in German that translates as ?Winkelried Shoot? plus the location and year.

The common reverse, which is used on all past modern issues of the series, features the denomination of each piece, which is encircled by oak leaves and laurel plus a pair of crossed rifles below and a powder horn and bandolier.  There are also inscriptions in French and German above that translate into ?redeemable during the shooting festival? since the coins can be redeemed for face value then but are technically not legal tender.

Swiss Shooting Thalers:

Swiss shooting thalers are issued to celebrate the annual shooting festivals held in Switzerland, a country where marksmanship is by far the most popular sport and whose people are fervent supporters of their right to bear arms.  They are issued by the various Swiss cantons, or constituent member states of the nation, depending on the location of each festival.  Every five years there is a larger, federal shooting festival that draws huge crowds.

The festivals were first held during the Old Swiss Confederacy in the 15th century, when crossbows were used instead of rifles as has been the case since the 1800?s.  The shooting tournaments held in the 1800s and early 1900s were designed to raise funds for the widows and orphans of Swiss soldiers who gave their life in defense of their nation, a process that took place over an extended period as the nation evolved from a loose confederation in the 13th century to a federal state in 1848.

In addition, the modern festivals are not just designed to be fun for the members of Swiss Shooting Association but also have a practical aspect, which is to help keep the shooting skills of its members up to date.  That is important in a country that does not have an army and depends on its citizen soldiers for defense.

Classic shooting thalers were issued from 1842 to 1939 and are mostly very rare, expensive and hard to locate, while the modern ones have been issued since 1984.  These pieces mostly remain in Switzerland and other European countries, but some of them make their way to the U.S. market.