Swiss Shooting... Tokens? - Coin Community Forum

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Author	Replies: 4 / Views: 2,519
Sap Moderator Australia 17012 Posts	Posted 02/19/2008 09:13 am Got a few exonumia-type mysteries here I was wondering if anyone knew the answers to. They were purchased in a bulk lot of Swiss cantonal coins, and may have been confused for cantonal coinage by the original owner, but these three definitely aren't coins. #1: City of Chur, brass. Doesn't say anything except "Chur 1842". There was apparently a Federal Shooting Festival in Chur that year, and the arrow seems to indicate some sort of archery or shooting theme. #2: Canton of Fribourg, bronze. Obverse the cantonal arms, with legend "SOCte. CANTle. DES CARB. FRIBOURGOIS (Fribourgian Cantonal Rifle Club?), reverse a Swiss Cross with legend UNION FORCE (Union, Strength). I'm probably way out on my "Rifle Club" guess; it could be a Trade Union piece. Neither BabelFish nor my French dictionary are being particularly helpful in this case. #3: Canton of Solothurn, brassy. This one is the most obviously "shooting-related" piece. On the obverse, you've got crossed rifles behind the Swiss coat of arms, on the other, EIDs FREISCHIESSEN IN SOLOTHURN (Federal Free-Shoot in Solothurn), 1855. I guess I'm at a loss as to what exactly these are. They're obviously not prize medals for the shooting festivals; the famous "Shooting Thalers" were the main prizes. So what were these? Participant medals? Souvenirs for spectators? Tokens? Any help or opinions appreciated. Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis Edited by Sap 02/25/2008 08:41 am Report this Post to the Staff

KurtS Pillar of the Community United States 5318 Posts	Posted 02/19/2008 1:48 pm I like that one from Chur. Is that an arrow through an apple, only worn down? Report this Post to the Staff
iczech New Member Ukraine 6 Posts	Posted 02/20/2008 12:58 pm I consider Krause book "Swiss shooting talers and medals", Whitman Publishing co., 1965 as the most valuable sorce published in English. There were lots of medals struck in bronze or white metal to commemorate the festivals. For Chur medal there is one listed in Krause book No 139. No picture, but diameter should be 20 mm. There is also one on Solothurn 1855 No 219, no picture in the book for that one again, but diameter should be 23 mm. Unfortunately nothing like yours on Freiburg. Hope this helps a bit Report this Post to the Staff
schutzenfester Valued Member United States 77 Posts	Posted 02/23/2008 2:26 pm Hi Sap, Here is some information regarding your Swiss Schützenfest jetons. Schützenfest jetons were used as currency within the Schützenfest. As people would enter a shoot they would purchase jetons with real money and then enter. As a participant, you would buy ammunition, targets and entry into a contest with jetons. Participants as well as spectators would buy refreshments, food, etc. with their jetons. 1. R261b (Richter) Canton: Graubunden, Chur, from the 1842 Federal schützenfest Size: 20 mm Metal: Brass, it is also seen in silver-plated brass Weight: 1.9 - 2.4 grams One of the most common jetons. A few years ago many rolls of these jetons were found unused. 2. R164c (Richter) Canton: Fribourg, Society of Carbiners (Fribourg Shooting Club) Year: unknown Metal: Brass Size: 20mm Weight: 2.5 - 2.6 grams Somewhat rare, I have a couple of these in other varieties but not the 164c with 3 rosettes on obverse. 3. R436a (Richter) could be R436b, (a) has obverse and reverse 180 degrees when rotated, (b) obverse and reverse the same when rotated. Canton: Solothurn, Federal Free Shoot Year: 1855 Metal: Brass Size: 23mm Weight: 2.8 grams More rare then #1, more common than #2 I hope this helps. Edited by schutzenfester 02/23/2008 2:38 pm Report this Post to the Staff
Sap Moderator Australia 17012 Posts	Posted 02/24/2008 01:27 am Thank you very much, schutzenfester. Yes, that's exactly the kind of information I was seeking. Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis Report this Post to the Staff
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