Switzerland: Second coin in “Energy of the Future” series continues with Proof and colour design featuring solar power

Hover to zoom.

The Swiss Federal Mint, or Swissmint, has released the second coin (21st July) of a three-part series on the subject of “Energy of the Future.” Once again, the Swiss Federal Mint has produced a colour coin with additional fluorescent elements, enabling it to glow in the dark. This year, the focus of the series is on extracting energy from the sun and the potential for unlimited clean energy. Solar power in Switzerland has gained great momentum despite the fact the land-locked alpine country located in Central Europe doesn’t exactly have a reputation for exceptionally sunny days. Historically, Switzerland had been a pioneer in solar photovoltaics — the conversion of light into electricity using semiconducting materials in the 1980s and early 1990s. The capital city of Berne, for example, receives a little more than seventy days of direct sunshine, especially during the summer months, with other cities faring even better. As such, solar panels have become especially popular in industrial, commercial, and service industry sectors. They now provide enough energy to power over 4.7% of Switzerland’s entire energy consumption, up from 3.8% in 2019. In 2020 the International Energy Agency stated in its World Energy Outlook that for projects with low-cost financing that tap high-quality resources, solar photovoltaics are now the cheapest source of electricity in history. It is the long-term international plan that the use of inexhaustible renewable energies should help to reduce dependence on oil, gas, and nuclear technology and even help to phase out fossil energy supplies.

Designed by artists Benjamin Löbbert and Remo Mascherini, their focus is a stylised sunrise with rays of red, orange, and yellow. Below the horizon line are representations of implements used to generate solar energy from solar panels, generators, and the fields where solar panels are positioned. Below the primary design is the text SONNE ENERGIE (“sun energy”) followed by SOLEIL and SOLE, the words for the “sun” in French and Italian — the two additional national languages in Switzerland.

The fluorescent elements printed on the coin have luminescent capabilities and glow in the dark, an addition to the design first used in the 2021-dated coins which launched the series. The reverse side depicts an emblem representing solar power which is centred. The issuing authority CONFEDERATIO HELVETICA 2022 is placed above the primary design along the edge with the denomination of 20 FR shown below arranged in two rows.

Denom.	Metal	Weight	Diameter	Quality	Maximum Mintage
20 francs	.835 Silver	20 g	33 mm	Proof	10,000

Each Proof and colour coin is encapsulated and presented in a heavy-gauge card case and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. For more information about these and other coins available from the Swiss Mint, please click here.

❑