Early Swiss Shooting Medal ? - Coin Community Forum

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Author	Replies: 3 / Views: 1,119
D Pillar of the Community Canada 899 Posts	Posted 01/30/2013 6:50 pm I think this may be an early shooting medal when the weapon of choice was a crossbow. Obverse: Three men in either their sporting or combat attire with swords, right hands raised pointing upwards and left hands appear all touching as if in a group huddle and shout. A tower of some sort of the left side. Reverse: LASOCIETE DES SUISSES, number 6 counter stamped, hand shake ( 2 left hands ) crossbow with arrow through apple and hat with feather. There is definitely William Tell attributes as shown by the crossbow and arrow through the apple from the early 15th century folklore. Medal is 32mm, weight is 13.3 grams and I think it is made from copper (it is dark brown in color ) Any ideas....? Report this Post to the Staff

14ers Valued Member United States 230 Posts	Posted 01/30/2013 7:54 pm I can help a little bit with this. The three men represent the origin of the nation of Switzerland. In 1291, what are now the Swiss Cantons of Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden united in a pledge of mutual defence, commerce and friendship. Switzerland is officially "the Swiss Confederation" with the Swiss German word for confederation being "Eidgenossenschaft" or more literally, "oath fellowship". That is what is depicted in the three men symbolizing the original three cantons, the taking of the oath. The tower on the left is actually a Roman Fasces like what is on the reverse of the Mercury dime. Since Roman times the Fasces has been a symbol of strength through unity. "La Societe des Suisses" is French for The Society of Switzerland. I can not help with the hands or the "6" but the hat, crossbow and arrow through the apple are all as you say, definitely William Tell attributes. My guess is that it is not a Shooting medal but rather a token or a commemorative item for some other purpose. It is very patriotic. Perhaps La Societe des Suisses was a Swiss patriotic organization of some sort or even an organization of Swiss expatriates in some other country. A very interesting item! Report this Post to the Staff
D Pillar of the Community Canada 899 Posts	Posted 01/30/2013 8:10 pm 14ers.....thank you so very much.... From your information I will follow up and maybe get a possible date when this was made... Report this Post to the Staff
D Pillar of the Community Canada 899 Posts	Posted 04/11/2013 2:52 pm With alot of research, help and luck I found more information regarding this medal.... These were made in either Paris or Lyon during the French revolution 1789 - 1799. The number 6 is for 6 shillings (sous)as by comparision from other pieces. With more luck I should be able to find out more on the exact mintage and purpose of these... Edited by D 04/11/2013 2:55 pm Report this Post to the Staff
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