The quarter-franc gold coin issued by the Federal Mint has been recognised by the Guinness World Records as the world’s smallest commemorative coin, Swissmint said on TuesdayExternal link.
The machine-minted gold coin, issued last year, has a diameter of only 2.96mm and weighs 0.063g. Based on these dimensions, Guinness World Records recognised it as the world’s smallest commemorative coin.
swissmint.ch
“For the obverse, we drew our inspiration from Albert Einstein’s determination and patience. It features the famous image of Albert Einstein sticking out his tongue, along with the year 2020,” Swissmint said. “The reverse shows the nominal value of ¼ franc together with the inscription ‘HELVETIA’ and the Swiss cross.”
The images can’t be discerned with the naked eye, so Swissmint designed special packaging with magnifying lenses and a light. Only 999 examples of the coin were produced, and it quickly sold out.
Over 140 years old
In addition, the Swiss ten-centime coin has been named the oldest coin still in circulation. Both sides of the ten-centime coin have remained the same – apart from the changing date – since 1879.
The ten-centime coins minted in 1879 are still legal tender
swissmint.ch
In 1853, five years after the Federal Constitution was introduced, the first Swiss coins were minted in the Federal Mint in Bern.
The first ten-centime coins bore the image of a Swiss cross on a shield in front of oak leaves, with the inscription “HELVETIA”. It wasn’t until 1879 that the motif was replaced with a woman’s head in profile, looking to the right and bearing a diadem, and the inscriptions “LIBERTAS” and the transcription “CONFOEDERATIO HELVETICA”.
The image was designed by Karl Schwenzer and is still used unaltered on the ten-centime coin. What’s more, the ten-centime coins minted in 1879 are still legal tender. They have thus been in use for over 140 years.
Swiss employees to work slightly more in 2023 than in previous year
This content was published on
The long-term trend is different with the weekly working hours per full-time employee decreased significantly, says a report by the Federal Statistical Office.
Consumers still crave chocolate: Lindt & Sprüngli reports higher earnings
This content was published on
Lindt & Sprüngli sold chocolate worth CHF 2.16 billion in the first half of the year. This is slightly more than in the previous year.
This content was published on
Bollinger will succeed Philipp Rickenbacher, who resigned in February after a significant write-down on loans to the Signa Group.
Majority of young Swiss well-trained, army fitness test reveals
This content was published on
More than half of young Swiss men and women are considered well-trained, with around 80% meeting the federal government's exercise recommendations, according to the Armed Forces 2023 fitness test.
Italian consulate to relocate to ‘Casa d’Italia’ in Zurich
This content was published on
The Italian state is renovating the "Casa d'Italia" in Zurich's Kreis 4 district, with plans to move the Consulate General from its current location on Tödistrasse in District 2 to this historic building.
Swiss companies maintain financial stability amid European struggles
This content was published on
Swiss companies continue to demonstrate financial robustness compared to their European counterparts, although corporate restructuring activities have increased in recent months.
This content was published on
Unknown assailants detonated an ATM in canton Vaud early Sunday morning, causing extensive damage to the building. The perpetrators fled the scene and remain at large.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Special Swiss coin to mark 50 years of women’s suffrage
This content was published on
This year marks 50 years since women gained the right to vote in Switzerland. The event is to be commemorated with a special gold coin.
Swiss coins commemorate Roger Federer and Albert Einstein
This content was published on
Another 37,000 coins featuring tennis star Roger Federer – the first living person to receive that honor – went on sale on Thursday, according to Swissmint. Also up for grabs is the “smallest gold coin in the world” inspired by Albert Einstein and a bimetallic coin featuring the European hare.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.