New Swiss commemorative coins: "Yodelling" and steamboat "Uri"

Bern, 4 May 2017, 04.05.2017 - On 4 May 2017, the Federal Mint Swissmint is launching two new commemorative coins for coin enthusiasts and collectors. A silver coin "Yodelling" will be issued in time for the Swiss Yodelling Festival in Brig-Glis. The second silver coin is dedicated to the oldest paddlewheel steamer in Switzerland, the "Uri". This coin is the first in Swissmint's new three-part series of "Swiss steamboats".

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. 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. Further information is available at www.jodlerfest-brig.ch.[1]

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. In honour of this floating monument, Swissmint has chosen the Uri to grace the first coin in its three-part "Swiss steamboats" series. The 20-franc silver coin was designed by the naval painter Ueli Colombi. Further information is available at www.lakelucerne.ch.[2]

The new commemorative coins are available from 4 May 2017 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 clients seeking authenticity checks.

[1] Source: swissinfo.ch

[2] Source: Dampferfreunde Vierwaldstättersee (steamer friends of Lake Lucerne)

Address for enquiries

Urs Liechti
Bernastrasse 28, 3003 Bern
Tel. +41 58 465 12 95
Fax +41 58 462 60 07
urs.liechti@swissmint.ch
www.swissmint.ch