Switzerland's central bank will release in May a new silver commemorative coin to mark the 50th anniversary of the first landing on the surface of the moon by man. The American Appolo 11, which has become the most famous space mission, was the first manned spaceship to land on the surface of the moon on 20 July 1969. Appolo 11 was manned by two American astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.

The first experiment carried out by the Apollo astronauts was the deployment of metallic foils, solar sails, which was researched and imagined by the Director of Physics Institute of the University of Bern at the time, and his Swiss team. Even before hoisting the American flag on the moon, astronaut Aldrin hung up a Swiss solar sail.

The obverse side of the new coin depicts an image of Aldrin hanging up the Swiss solar sail on the surface of the moon. Next, to him is Appolo 11. Initially created as a pencil drawing, the image of the reverse side was then digitally revised. "50" appears above the image to symbolize the 50th anniversary. "ANS, ANNI, JAHRE" appear above the image of  Appolo 11 to refer to the official language of Switzerland. "1969 – 2019" is placed at the bottom of the coin.

The reverse features in a standout design the year of issue and denomination of the coin. The inscription "CONFEDERATIO HELVETICA" is dominating the reverse.

The new coin is produced in .835 silver in proof and brilliant uncirculated qualities. The brilliant uncirculated version has a maximum mintage of 20000 pieces, while the proof version has a limited mintage of 5000 coins.

 

Source: Coin Uptdate