Two new commemorative coins issued: Platinum and Morteratsch glacier

Bern, 13.01.2022, 13.01.2022 - On 13 January 2022, the Federal Mint Swissmint will launch two new commemorative coins. The platinum coin is the first coin of its kind that is available for sale only in proof quality and only online. Swissmint is launching the three-part Swiss glaciers series with the Morteratsch glacier bimetallic coin.

Platinum 25-franc coin

Platinum is a chemical element. It has a high density and is significantly harder than gold. The precious metal is very resistant to corrosion and has a melting point of approximately 1,800° C. Platinum was probably first used in Ancient Egypt in around 3000 BC. Today, platinum is used in a variety of areas, including automotive catalytic converters, jewellery, coins, laboratory and analytical equipment, medical implants, pacemakers and cancer therapy. The main sources of raw materials are South Africa, Russia, Canada and the US.

The platinum coin with a nominal value of CHF 25 is Swissmint's first commemorative coin to be issued in platinum. This coin will be available for sale only in proof quality in a presentation case with a numbered certificate of authenticity, and can only be purchased from our internet shop at www.swissmintshop.ch. The obverse features a modern illustration of platinum as a raw material. It depicts the element symbol Pt for platinum in the middle of a cogwheel, among other things. To the left of it is a column of atomic numbers from the periodic table, which add up to 78. The number 195.084 below the symbolic element Pt corresponds to the atomic mass. In the lower third of the obverse, the word PLATINUM is featured in capital letters and in italics. The coin was designed by Swissmint engraver, Remo Mascherini.

Morteratsch glacier 10-franc bimetallic coin from the Swiss glaciers series

The Morteratsch glacier is one of the larger glaciers in the Alps and the largest in the Bernina region in the canton of Graubünden. It reached its peak extension during the Little Ice Age of the mid-19th century. Since then it has receded by about three kilometres in length, shrinking by about 40 metres a year. Meltwater flowing down has caused several caves to form under the glacier tongue, the end of the ice stream. In earlier times, the Morteratsch glacier stretched down into the valley, which is why it is also referred to as a valley glacier. Today, the glacier is still around 6.4km long and covers an area of 14.9km2.

The Morteratsch glacier bimetallic coin marks the start of the three-part Swiss glaciers series. The obverse of the 10-franc coin shows the glacier nestled in the landscape and the outer ring reads "Vadret da Morteratsch enturn il 1820" (Morteratsch glacier around 1820 in Romansh). The coin was designed by Swissmint engraver, Remo Mascherini. The Rosenlaui glacier is planned as the next motif in 2023 and the Rhone glacier in 2024.

New circulation coin sets

Also in January 2022, Swissmint will be issuing the new circulation coin sets in various versions with the Morteratsch glacier 10-franc bimetallic coin. Alongside the popular classic brilliant uncirculated and proof versions, the birthday coin set and the much-loved baby coin set are also available.

Quality descriptions for coins

Uncirculated: minted in normal machine production, presented in a blister pack.

Proof: highest minting quality, individual production, the coin die is used only around 500 times, coin planchets are polished and surface-treated in an elaborate process. Coins are individually packed in coin capsules, and sold in a presentation case complete with numbered certificate of authenticity.

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. Commemorative coins in bimetal, silver, gold or platinum bear an official, state-guaranteed, nominal value and are available in various minting qualities.

Address for enquiries

Jan Niklas Betz
Head of Sales and Marketing
Bernastrasse 28, 3003 Bern
Email: media@swissmint.ch
Web: www.swissmint.ch