Obverse. Photo © coininvest
  • 10 Francs 2006, KM# 221, Congo, Democratic Republic, 500th Anniversary of the Swiss Guard
  • 10 Francs 2006, KM# 221, Congo, Democratic Republic, 500th Anniversary of the Swiss Guard
Description

Swiss Guards are the Swiss soldiers who have served as guards at foreign European courts since the late 15th century.

Foreign military service was outlawed by the revised Swiss Constitution of 1874, with the only exception being the Pontifical Swiss Guard stationed at the Vatican. The modern Papal Swiss Guard serves as both a ceremonial unit and a bodyguard. Established in 1506, it is one of the oldest military units in the world.

The earliest Swiss guard unit to be established on a permanent basis was the Hundred Swiss (Cent Suisses), which served at the French court from 1490 to 1817. This small force was complemented in 1567 by a Swiss Guards regiment. In the 18th and early 19th centuries several other Swiss Guard units existed for periods in various European courts.

In addition to small household and palace units, Swiss mercenary regiments have served as regular line troops in various armies; notably those of France, Spain and Naples. They were considered the most effective mercenaries of the 15th century, until their battle-drill was improved upon by the German Landsknechte. At the Battle of Marignano (1515), the Landsknecht in French service defeated the Swiss pikemen.

Obverse

Depicts an official emblem of the Laurent Kabila regime: a mature male lion standing to the left amid grass, symbolizing strength and authority. Above the lion is the country’s name in French, and the denomination is placed below.

Kabila’s regime, which began in 1997 after he overthrew Mobutu Sese Seko, was characterized by efforts to rebuild the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire) after decades of dictatorship. His government sought to restore national sovereignty, but faced internal conflict and external pressures, particularly during the Second Congo War.

REPUBLIQUE DEMOCRATIQUE DU CONGO
10 FRANCS

Reverse

Depicts a multicolored member of the Swiss Guard wearing a tricolor full dress uniform worn with a Morion helmet with red feathers standing and taking his oath during the Swearing in Ceremony, the gesture of raising his three fingers signifies the Christian Trinity in the the front of old soldier holding a long sword above a Latin inscription meaning "To the soldiers of Switzerland who should defend the supreme, ninth of May 1877, Glory with signature of Patria", inscription of occasion with establishment and year of issue dates.

A morion (Spanish: morrión, Catalan: morrió) is an open-faced combat helmet that originated in Spain, widely used from the early 16th to the early 17th century. Typically, the morion featured a flat brim and a crest running from front to back. Its introduction coincided with European exploration of the Americas, and explorers like Hernando de Soto and Coronado may have provided their foot soldiers with morions in the 1540s.

The Swiss Guard’s current full dress uniform, featuring blue, red, orange, and yellow colors with a distinct Renaissance style, was introduced in 1914 by commandant Jules Repond (1910–1921). The design was inspired by 16th-century depictions of the Swiss Guard.

GARDE
SUISSE
PONTIFICALE
1506 - 2006
MILITIBVS HELVETIORVM CVSTO
QVI SVMMVM DEFENDENIES PON
NONAS MAIAS A MDXXVII GLORI
PATRIA

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Silver
Fineness 0.925
Weight 25 g
Diameter 45 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal

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