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.
Popular Stories
More
Swiss Abroad
Aussie adoptee gains Swiss citizenship at 54 thanks to old envelope
Should Switzerland take measures to support its struggling industries?
Industrial policies are back in fashion, not only in the United States but also in the EU. Should Switzerland, where various industries are struggling, draw inspiration from such policies?
Several Swiss municipalities and banks hit by cyberattack
This content was published on
Russian hackers attacked the websites of several Swiss municipalities and banks on Tuesday, just as the World Economic Forum (WEF), got under way in Davos.
Music strengthens brain connections in premature babies, Swiss study shows
This content was published on
In premature babies, music strengthens connections in certain areas of the brain, according to a years-long study by the University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG).
WEF gives Crystal Award to Beckham, Yamamoto and von Fürstenberg
This content was published on
The World Economic Forum in Davos handed out awards to UNICEF ambassador David Beckham, Japanese architect Riken Yamamoto and women's rights activist Diane von Fürstenberg.
Swiss CEOs betting on a strong domestic market in 2025
This content was published on
Swiss business leaders are optimistic about 2025, despite a world in crisis, says a new survey by Pricewaterhouse Coopers.
This content was published on
Economics Minister Guy Parmelin and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis have welcomed Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang to Bern
Michelle Hunziker to co-present Eurovision Song Contest
This content was published on
Swiss-Italian television moderator Michelle Hunziker will be one of the presenters of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest (ESC), scheduled for May 13-17 in Basel.
Seniors face high public transport costs in Switzerland
This content was published on
Public transport ticket prices for adults in Switzerland are around the European average, according to a study. Swiss senior citizens and business travellers tend to pay more.
This content was published on
The amount of unproductive land in Switzerland has hardly changed in recent decades. Nationwide, it shrank by around 2% between 1985 and 2018.
Rescue teams had hands full at Lauberhorn ski race
This content was published on
From broken bones to heart attacks, the rescue teams had a busy weekend at the Ski World Cup in Wengen, which attracted a record 80,000 fans.
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.