Switzerlands second wave of silver coins for 2017 celebrate Yodelling and the Steamboat Uri

The second pair of coins from the Swiss Mint has debuted and celebrates a pair of subjects that are quintessentially Swiss. The first features a beautiful steamship that resides on Lake Lucerne called ‘Uri’ and the design of the coin centres around a fine representation of the ship. The symbol of the ships operator, SGV (Schifffahrtsgesellschaft des Vierwaldstättersees) sits at the top of the coin and there are inscriptions carrying the name of the ship and the coin designer.

The second celebrates Yodelling and follows on from last years coin themed around Brass Bands, another popular Swiss musical endeavour. This one depicts a man and a woman in traditional Swiss dress yodelling. In the background are depicted another two yodellers, one of whom is using a huge Swiss horn, also called an Alphorn. The inscription ‘JODELN LE YODEL’ is inscribed around the top.

The obverse for both coins is identical and the same as the earlier Reformation coin launched in January. As usual for the Swiss Mint, these silver coins are struck in a fineness not used by most others, namely 0.835 silver.

The coin is struck in two finishes. The proof coins sell for 60CHF and have a mintage of 5,000 pieces each. A small number of these (200) were signed by sold out immediately, and they cost an extra 10CHF. While the proof is boxed, the uncirculated coin isn’t, but as it sells for just 30CHF yet has the same specification apart from the finish, it’s easy to overlook. The coin in a small folder will sell for an extra 10CHF, but only 2,000 of the 30,000 coin mintage will be available this way. Available to order now.

2017 STEAMBOAT URI SILVER COIN

MINTS DESCRIPTION

What could be more pleasant than a trip on the legendary “Uri” on a warm summer’s day. With the wind in your hair, and the constant, soothing reverberations of the engines and splashing of the paddles in your ears, you can feast your eyes on the picturesque – and in places wild and untamed – shores of Lake Lucerne. The “Uri”, Switzerland’s oldest paddle steamer and the oldest ship in the SGV company’s fleet, embarked on its maiden voyage in 1901. The ship can take 800 passengers and offer both first- and second-class accommodation.

The “Uri” is a classic example of a Sulzer paddle steamer, many of which were manufactured around the beginning of the twentieth century. They boast excellent handling in the water, stability in rough weather and fuel economy. The “Uri” is powered by an inclined 650 HP Sulzer two-cylinder condensing compound steam engine. Further information is available at www.lakelucerne.ch.

In honour of this floating monument, Swissmint has chosen the Uri to grace the first coin in its three-part “Swiss steamships” series. The 20-franc silver coin was designed by the naval painter Ueli Colombi. It is available in in the qualities ‘uncirculated’ and ‘proof’ in a presentation case at our online-shop or from selected coin dealers and some banks.

2017  SWISS YODELLING SILVER COIN

MINTS DESCRIPTION

From 22 to 25 June 2017, the 30th Swiss Yodelling Festival will take place in Brig-Glis, with 15,000 performers and over 150,000 visitors expected to come to the main town in Upper Valais. Over four days, they will have the opportunity to listen to first-rate performances by yodel choirs and individual yodellers, and marvel at alphorn players and flag throwers. The original “natural” yodel was a form of communication in mountainous and inaccessible regions and was also used during cattle drives.A yodel or “jutz” is a melody sung using non-lexical vocables, i.e. sounds that are not words, with frequent repeated changes in pitch between the chest register and the head register (falsetto).

In Switzerland and other Alpine countries, yodelling developed into song in the 19th century, usually as the choruses of folk songs. The yodel song, now performed with two-, three- or four-part harmonies and usually accompanied by a Swiss accordion, is the genre most favoured by yodellers in the Swiss Yodelling Association. This association, the Eidgenössischer Jodlerverband (EJV), was formed in 1910. Its members take part in regional and cantonal competitions each year as well as participating in the Swiss Yodelling Festival held every three years. The Swiss Yodelling Association comprises not only yodel choirs and individual yodellers, but also alphorn blowers and flag throwers. Further information is available at www.jodlerfest-brig.ch.

On the occasion of the Swiss Yodelling Festival in Brig-Glis, Swissmint is issuing a 20-franc silver yodelling coin. This was designed by the graphic designer Gabriel Giger from the canton of Valais and is available in the qualities ‘uncirculated’ and ‘proof’ in a presentation case at our online-shop or from selected coin dealers and some banks.

 

SPECIFICATION

NAME 2017 SWISS YODELLING 2017 STEAMBOAT URI
DENOMINATION 20 Swiss Francs 20 Swiss Francs
COMPOSITION 0.835 silver 0.835 silver
WEIGHT 20.0 grams 20.0 g
DIAMETER 33.00 mm 23.00 mm
FINISH Proof or Uncirculated Proof or Uncirculated
ARTIST Gabriel Giger Ueli Colombi
MINTAGE 5,000 proof / 30,000 unc 5,000 proof / 30,000 unc
BOX / COA Yes (proof) / Yes Yes (proof) / Yes