Two new Swiss commemorative coins: Crocodile locomotive and Moon landing - Swissmint

Federal Department of Finance FDF
                                         Federal Mint Swissmint

Press release
Date         9 May 2019

Two new Swiss commemorative coins:
Crocodile locomotive and Moon landing
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 locomo-
tives" 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.

                                         Federal Mint Swissmint
                                         Bernastrasse 28, 3003 Bern
                                         Phone +41 58 4 800 800
                                         Fax +41 58 462 60 07
                                         info@swissmint.ch
                                         www.swissmint.ch

Press release

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 labora-
tory 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 pay-
 ment 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.

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Press release

Note to the press:

This press release as well as the images of the commemorative coins can be
downloaded at the following links:

http://www.swissmint.ch/e/aktuell/medien.php
http://www.swissmint.ch/e/aktuell/medien/index.php

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

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Press release

Fact sheet

"100 years of the Crocodile locomotive" gold coin

Images shown enlarged

Effigy                  "100 years of the Crocodile locomotive"
Artist                  Raphael Schenker, Zurich
Technical specifications Alloy: gold 0,900
                         Weight: 11,29g
                         Diameter: 25mm
Legal face value        50 Swiss francs
Date of issue           9 May 2019
Mintage                 Proof in presentation case:
                        5,000 units with numbered certificate of authenticity
Recommended price       CHF 580
Sold by                 Online at www.swissmintshop.ch or phone +41 58 4 800 800
                        as well some coin dealers and banks
Coined and issued by     Federal Mint Swissmint, CH-3003 Bern, www.swissmint.ch

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Press release

Fact sheet
"50th anniversary of Apollo 11 moon landing" silver coin

Images shown enlarged                                      Folder

Effigy                   "50th anniversary of Apollo 11 moon landing"
Artist                   Remo Mascherini, Flamatt
Technical specifications Alloy: silver 0,835
                         Weight: 20g
                         Diameter: 33mm
Legal face value         20 Swiss francs
Date of issue            9 May 2019
Mintage                    Uncirculated: 20,000 units
                            19,000 units in a blister pack, 1,000 in a folder
                           Proof in presentation case: 5,000 units with numbered
                            certificate of authenticity
Recommended price        Uncirculated in a blister pack:    CHF 30
                                       in folder:           CHF 40
                         Proof in presentation case:        CHF 60
Sold by                  Online at www.swissmintshop.ch or phone +41 58 4 800 800
                         as well some coin dealers and banks
Coined and issued by     Federal Mint Swissmint, CH-3003 Bern, www.swissmint.ch

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