February 4, 2016 – In 2016, the Swiss Red Cross celebrates its 150th anniversary. In honor of this date, Swissmint releases a silver commemorative coin, with the legal face value of 20 Swiss francs, which has been created by artist Marc Roulin, Romont.
Switzerland / 20 Swiss Francs / Silver .835 / 20g / 33mm / Design: Marc Roulin / Mintage: 30,000 (Uncirculated) and 5,000 (Proof).
On 17 July 1866, General Henri Dufour, Federal Councillor Jakob Dubs and other prominent figures met in Bern with the goal of founding the Swiss Red Cross (SRC). This new organisation was initially called the ‘Aid organisation for Swiss soldiers and their families’ and reflected the organisation’s purpose at that time of supporting the Armed Forces medical services in times of war through voluntary workers. This was also one of Henry Dunant’s basic ideas.
The aid organisation’s first major effort came with the internment of the Army of the East, commanded by General Bourbaki, in 1871 during the Franco-Prussian War. The SRC’s activity during both world wars consolidated the aid organisation’s position and enhanced its reputation at both national and international level. After World War II, its focus shifted increasingly to the civilian sector, with numerous new tasks. The Swiss Red Cross is currently Switzerland’s largest humanitarian organisation.
Please find the Swissmint website here.
More information on this issue is available here.
Please learn more about the artist Marc Roulin here.
And for more information on the Swiss Red Cross, please click here.
Please do not miss to take a closer look at this spectacular interactive web-impression of the Bourbaki panorama. This realistic picture of 1881 sized 112 x 10 meters was the best PR for the SRC!