Two new Swiss commemorative coins: Crocodile locomotive and Moon landing

Bern, 9 May 2019, 09.05.2019 - On 9 May 2019, the Federal Mint Swissmint will launch two new commemorative coins. It is honouring the 100th anniversary of the locomotive "Crocodile" with a gold coin. A new silver coin commemorates the moon landing 50 years ago, as part of which the University of Bern was also involved in an experiment.

The famous Ce 6/8 II electric locomotive, also affectionately known as the "Crocodile", celebrates its 100th birthday in 2019. The "Crocodiles" are more than just "old locomotives" for many people, and not just for Swiss railway enthusiasts. They combine Swiss cultural heritage with lively enthusiasm for a technical masterpiece created 100 years ago. Swissmint is honouring the 100th anniversary of the Crocodile locomotive by issuing a 50-franc gold commemorative coin. The coin was designed by Raphael Schenker, a graphic artist from Zurich.

The powerful "Crocodiles" are among the SBB's most durable locomotives. In the spring of 1918, the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) ordered ten "heavy mountain freight locomotives" from the Swiss Locomotive and Machine Factory (SLM) for use at the Gotthard. The specifications for these electric locomotives stipulated that they could cover the Goldau-Chiasso route twice within 28 hours with a train of 860t trailer weight. The special thing about the construction of the "Crocodiles" was the movable bearing between the drive frames and the locomotive box. Between 1919 and 1921, the series was increased to 33 units. The demands on the electric freight locomotives for the mountain route were enormous.

After the "Crocodiles" at the Gotthard were replaced by more powerful locomotives in the mid-1950s, they took over the transport of gravel trains weighing up to 1,200 tonnes in the Mittelland region. Some specimens have been preserved in working order to this day SBB Historic offers special trips with the "Crocodile", and the electric old timer can also be admired in the Swiss Museum of Transport.

Swiss solar sail was raised on the moon before the US flag

The moon landing 50 years ago represented a first highlight in space research at the University of Bern. Swissmint is marking this anniversary by issuing a 20-franc silver commemorative coin. The image on the coin was first created as a pencil drawing by Swissmint engraver Remo Mascherini and then digitally revised.

Aldrin and Neil Armstrong were the first humans to step onto the moon's surface with the Apollo 11 mission on 21 July 1969. Before the astronaut "Buzz" Aldrin hoisted the American flag on the moon almost 50 years ago, he first hung up a Swiss solar sail. This so-called solar wind sail of the University of Bern was the only non-American experiment on board the Apollo 11. The "Solar Wind Composition Experiment" was developed by the Bernese physicists under the leadership of Professor Johannes Geiss of the Institute of Physics to verify the existence of the solar wind that was suspected at the time but could not be measured from earth. The simplicity and low weight of the solar sail had convinced NASA: it was made of a differently coated aluminium foil measuring 140 x 30cm, which was oriented as directly as possible into the sun to capture any solar wind particles. The foil was then analysed in the laboratory after returning from the moon. The simple, lightweight and successful experiment was repeated on all lunar missions except the last Apollo 17 mission and the failed Apollo 13 mission.

The two new commemorative coins are available from 9 May 2019 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.

Address for enquiries

Christoph Tanner
Head of Sales and Marketing Swissmint
Phone +41 58 483 95 08
christoph.tanner@swissmint.ch