Obverse. Photo © Swissmint
  • 10 Francs 2024, Switzerland, Swiss Glaciers, Rhone Glacier
  • 10 Francs 2024, Switzerland, Swiss Glaciers, Rhone Glacier
Description

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

The Rhone glacier stretched 8 kilometers in length and had an average width of 2 kilometers. Situated in the northeastern corner of the Valais canton within the Goms region, this valley glacier originates from the southwest face of the Dammastock massif, reaching an altitude of approximately 3,600 meters. Linked to the Trift glacier by a small pass at 3,081 meters above sea level, the Rhone glacier also serves as the source of the Rhone River. Accessible from the Furka Pass, the glacier features an ice cave, excavated since 1870, located just beneath the pass. As with many Alpine glaciers, the Rhone glacier has noticeably receded over the past centuries.

Date of issue: 11 January 2024
Engraver: Remo Mascherini

Obverse

Depicts the Rhone glacier, the inscription "Rhone Glacier around 1867 meters" above, and three coats of arms below (Swiss Confederation, Valais). The engraver's name on the right.

RHONEGLETSCHER
um 1867
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 2024
HELVETICA
10
B
FR

Edge
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

Rosenlaui Glacier

Swiss Glaciers

Bi-Metallic, 15 g, ⌀ 33 mm