Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 10 Francs 2023, KM# 199, Switzerland, Swiss Glaciers, Rosenlaui Glacier
  • 10 Francs 2023, KM# 199, Switzerland, Swiss Glaciers, Rosenlaui Glacier
Description

This is the second coin in a three-coin series for Swiss Glaciers.

The Rosenlaui glacier is situated in the northeastern section of the Bernese Alps, positioned south of Meiringen. Spanning a length of 4.5 kilometers and boasting an average width of 1 kilometer, it blankets an area of roughly 6 square kilometers, rendering it one of the smaller valley glaciers within the Bernese Oberland. Originating in the Wetterkessel on the northeastern slopes of the Wetterhorn group, the glacier is linked to the Gauli glacier and the Upper Grindelwald glacier to the south through ridges covered with firn. On its western flank lies the rocky ridge of the Wellhorn and the Klein Wellhorn, while the eastern side is bordered by the Dossen. Positioned at an elevation of around 2,000 meters above sea level, the glacier's tongue extends outward. Presently, the Rosenlaui glacier area, in conjunction with the Aletsch glacier and its environs, forms part of the Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.

Date of issue: 31 January 2023
Engraver: Remo Mascherini

Obverse

Depicts the Rosenlaui glacier, the inscription "Rosenlaui Glacier around 1780 meters" above, and three coats of arms below (Swiss Confederation, Bern). The engraver's name on the right.

ROSENLOUWI
um 1780 GLETSCHER
MASCHERINI

Reverse

Depicts a Swiss cross surrounded by an inscription "Swiss Confederation", the denomination in the center, divided by the mintmark (B stands for Bern Mint).

The name Helvetica is a derivation of the ethnonym Helvetii, the name of the Gaulish tribe inhabiting the Swiss Plateau prior to the Roman conquest.

The white cross has been used as the field sign (attached to the clothing of combattants and to the cantonal war flags in the form of strips of linen) of the Old Swiss Confederacy since its formation in the late 13th or early 14th century. Its symbolism was described by the Swiss Federal Council in 1889 as representing "at the same the Christian cross symbol and the field sign of the Old Confederacy". The federal coat of arms was defined in 1815 for the Restored Confederacy as the white-on-red Swiss cross in a heraldic shield. The white cross is known as the Swiss cross. Its arms are equilateral, and their ratio of length to width is 7:6.

CONFOEDERATIO 2023
HELVETICA
10
B
FR

Edge

10 Francs

KM# 199
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Bi-Metallic
Ring Aluminium Bronze
Center Cupronickel
Weight 15 g
Diameter 33 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Swissmint

Related coins

Rhone Glacier

Swiss Glaciers

Bi-Metallic, 15 g, ⌀ 33 mm