Under the name 'Federal Commemorative Coins', Swissmint produces exclusive collector’s coins in limited editions. The launch of the new commemorative coin highlights the Swiss contribution to European space exploration.
The Swiss Contribution to European Space Exploration
The European Space Agency (ESA), headquartered in Paris, is Europe's gateway to space. It coordinates and promotes the development of European space exploration, ensuring that investments benefit all Europeans sustainably. Founded in 1975, ESA aimed to make Europe technically and politically more independent from the spacefaring nations of the Soviet Union and the United States. Currently, ESA has 23 member states, including Switzerland.
Switzerland is a founding member of ESA and participates in almost all its programmes. For the Ariane-6 programme, the two Switzerland- based companies, Beyond Gravity and APCO-Technologies, supply components.
Commemorative Coins Tell Stories and Showcase Our Country's Diversity
The new commemorative coin showcases ESA’s contribution with a 999 silver alloy. The 20-franc commemorative coin weighs 20 g and has a diameter of 33 mm.
The image side features Earth, Moon, and Mars, encircled by 'European Space Agency' and 'Elevating the future of Europe'. The latter is the motto of 'ESA Strategy 2040'. This strategy aims to enhance Europe's autonomy, resilience, and competitiveness in space. The lower third of the coin design shows a view of Europe from space, with Switzerland at its centre.
The value side shows the upper part of an Ariane-6 launch vehicle and the payload fairing developed and produced for this rocket by the Swiss company Beyond Gravity Switzerland. This fairing protects satellites from extreme thermal, acoustic, and aerodynamic conditions. Once the launch vehicle exits the atmosphere, the fairing splits into two shells and drifts away. The company APCO- Technologies also supplies components for the launch vehicle and essential ground equipment for its assembly. The coin's edge is inscribed with the nominal value of 20 francs, 'CONFOEDERATIO HELVETICA', the minting year 2026, and the mint mark 'B' for Swissmint.
The commemorative coin will be released in a limited edition of 8,000 pieces in an uncirculated version at a retail price of 65 francs, and as a polished plate (highest minting quality) of 3,500 pieces at a retail price of 110 francs. It will be available from 11th June 2026 in Swissmint's official online shop.
Ariane 6 is an ESA programme funded by thirteen member states, including Switzerland. Both the launch vehicle manufactured by ArianeGroup and the launch facilities provided by CNES benefit from contributions by the Swiss industry. Arianespace is responsible for marketing.
Each of These Commemorative Coins Is a Miniature Work of Art
The Federal Mint Swissmint mints the Swiss franc on behalf of the Swiss Confederation. Since 1855, it has been produced in the heart of Switzerland and, since 1906, in the popular Kirchenfeld neighbourhood in Bern. Since 1936, Swissmint has also minted commemorative coins in memory of significant historical and cultural events or in honour of great personalities. Each of these commemorative coins is a miniature work of art, crafted in a unique artistic and artisanal tradition.
For further inquiries:
media@swissmint.ch