schutzenfester

9 hours ago, 49ermatt said:

Rod,

Thank you for the update.  I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of this book.

No problem, I spoke with Craig Keplinger of Numiswiss.com and although he does not have any for resale at this time, he hopes and feels that early June as the anticipated time period. Just stop by his website every once in a while to check in and see when they are up for sale.

Here are a few pictures. 

The first just shows the difference in size between the first edition on the left and the second edition.

The second and third picture shows a comparison of one medal that now has been "upgraded" to a much better picture. This has been done extensively throughout the book.

The fourth picture shows an explanation from the back cover regarding the new content of the book.

I received a couple of copies of the new Richter Swiss Talers and Shooting Medals book this week - IT IS FANTASTIC!

Beautiful photos, many are enhanced/better than previous pictures. Many, many new medals. More content overall, new and updated pricing. Newly revised survival estimates for medals, and the best part in my opinion and what will bring this great hobby to even more enthusiasts - English translation.

The book should be available for sale early June. I made the decision not to carry them but I can tell you that Craig Keplinger-Keplinger World Coins (www.Numiswiss.com) will be and he should have some for sale very soon. 

Do not hesitate to buy yourself a copy, you will not be sorry. The book is great!

One additional item to add to my answer regarding the use of AU53 and MS64 designations. Please keep in mind that the majority of Swiss schützenfest medals sold in Swiss and European auctions are not encapsulated therefore the ss-vz and FDC grades are not problematic to the average collector in Switzerland and Europe in regard to shooting medals. The vast majority of medals in our collection are not third-party graded yet many would grade above MS65 yet they would be sold as FDC medals.  Plus, the majority of schützenfest collectors reside on the other side of the pond, therefore any problems or pricing issues will be mostly from non-Europeans and from third-party graded medals.

Hi Rod,

I am so anxious to get my hands on the second edition!  A few questions......

How did you convince Richter to put your favorite Swiss shooting medal design on the front cover? 😋

Do you know or feel that most of the medal values have increased and reflected in the second edition? Yes

Do you feel that tying "vz-unz" values to a specific grade of AU53 and "FDC" to MS64 will be problematic for the collector? Not a collector that is level headed with common sense. 😉       But yes, I feel there may be some confusion/problems, especially now that you see so many third-party graded medals and the fact that many sellers are not educated in the Swiss schützenfest medal field, plus many sellers price based on "U. S. coin not medal graded pricing" and greed. Because of these factors, they feel the need to ask prices much higher than market just because a medal may be graded MS65 or higher.  I believe that ss-vz and FDC cover a wider rating/grading range than the specific grades mentioned by Richter. IMHO  

 How did Richter come to those comparisons? As the author, (or any author for that matter) Jürg has made certain assumptions and decisions regarding content in his fine book. In this case, because it has been translated into English, he needed to come up with an English "translation" or value for the European "ss-vz" and "FDC" and in these instances, he gave them the AU53 and MS64 designations for the English language reader. As many would agree, AU53 up to MS63 would fall into the ss-vz range and MS64 and up would fall into the FDC range. There may be some pricing deviations based on individual medals but I believe that most serious schützenfest medal collectors would follow these guidelines.

22 hours ago, thedeadpoint said:

The second edition is finally being released?! How much did yu drop?

Not released quite yet, supposedly May and 85EUR.

Very nice, do you collect Swiss schützenfest medals? 

If you have read most of the posts in this forum topic, you know that my Dad and I have been collecting Swiss schützenfest medals for many years. I have seen a very positive increase in interest in the last 15 years or so. When I first got on eBay in 2000, for example, if you looked for Swiss shooting medals in the United States you would find perhaps 5-10 listings.  Now when you search you come up with hundreds of listings. The increase for international listings is proportional.

Schützenfest medals have always been extremely popular for collecting in Switzerland and also German shooting medals in Germany. Years ago, however, most if not all of our medals and cups came from Europe, primarily Switzerland.

The Martin catalog (1972) was a great success in regard to introducing a vast audience to the schützenfest medal collecting hobby.   The 1st edition Richter catalog (2005) was exponentially better and heightened the reference material for the collector with color pictures, much more content, rarity values, and pricing to better reflect the current market at the time. The new 2nd edition Richter catalog not only has over 200 new medals added but also has updated pricing, better pictures where available, rarity ratings based on mintage and attrition, and the best part is that this edition has English translation!

I believe that the 2nd edition with English translation will garner even more interest in this wonderful hobby than ever before. Now individuals will be able to research and reference specific medals and learn more from the notes about them. The forward of the catalog will give the reader much more information than perhaps they ever had before regarding Swiss schützenfests and their history, and just the fact that there is so much new content will spark new and renewed interest form the collecting field.

I am looking forward to receiving my copy and using it for years to come.

Here is more information from Jurg Richter's Sincona website:

"The Schützentaler and Schützenmedaillen of Switzerland

The second edition of the book by Jürg Richter, which has also been translated into English, deals with the history as well as the historical background of the Schützentaler and Schützenmedaillen of Switzerland. It has been significantly expanded, especially as far as information on the individual medals is concerned. Several hundred newly discovered specimens have been recorded, described and evaluated. More than 2,500 talers and medals from their beginnings in the early seventeenth century to the year 1960 are listed in detail and mostly reproduced. From engraved single specimens to medals with a circulation of several thousand copies, all pieces are supplemented with a rarity indication as well as two evaluations for the preservations "vz-unz / AU53" as well as "FDC / MS64".  For the first time in the more frequent pieces also a market availability has been determined, which should enable the collector to estimate how often or how rare a corresponding medal really is today. Three different index categories, chronologically by age, alphabetically by location, and also alphabetically by inscriptions, allow the collector to efficiently identify virtually any medal and look up it in the catalog. Thus, this book becomes an indispensable reference work when it comes to the determination and evaluation of Schützenentalern and shooter medals in Switzerland.

Jürg Richter

The fascination of coins and medals,
had Jürg Richter since his earliest youth
experienced. In 1985 he chose the profession of numismatist
and has since been in the lucky position, hobby
and to combine work.
Book publications and articles in journals
are witnesses of his great passion and enthusiasm
for numismatics. With the Vreneli Prize in the
In 2005, his journalistic work became one
special way honored. He is a guarantee of high quality
Literature. Therefore, one comes to him, the owner
the Sincona AG, not over, if you look at the
Numismatics of Switzerland.

2nd edition 2018 size 23.5 x 28 cm,
approx. 500 pages, colored throughout, hardcover
Price: 85, - EUR
ISBN 978-3-86646-162-8
Release date: Summer 2018"

It looks like the newly revised Richter catalog is set to be published in May. I will update as I learn more in regard to exact date and cost.

There does not seem to be enough interest to justify me buying a minimum number of catalogs for resale. Therefore, if anyone is interested, you will have to purchase from another person/vendor here in the US or Europe. 

I do have one very lightly used  "very good" condition, almost like new Richter catalog that I will sell for $60 including shipping to the contiguous United States.

If you are have been on the fence buying a catalog then this is your chance to purchase one at the best price I have seen one offered at. If anyone is interested please PM me.

Hi,

I believe the new Richter catalog will be published near the end of March. 

I will be selling copies of the new Richter catalog. Please let me know if you have interest. I will keep everyone posted on availability and cost.

On 12/20/2017 at 1:50 AM, ttm5 said:

I for one am looking forward to the second revised edition as my original one is in tatters from referring to it daily.

Do you think that most of the new additional shooting medals are from countries outside of Switzerland?  I have come across Swiss shooting medals from Central and South America that were not on the original Richter book but very few, if any, that are original Switzerland issues.

Updated market values should be interesting.  Actual values should be up from the original book but no where near the fantasy prices some people are asking for on eBay.  Also, there should be some adjustments to rarity ratings. 

I would think based on the new Swiss medals that my Dad and I submitted plus the others submitted by yourself as well as several other contributors that I am aware of, that there will be a great number of additions to the catalog. Certainly enough for anyone to want the new catalog for just the new medals alone. I know there will also be many new International Swiss enclave medals too. 

I am aware of editing to the rarity ratings based on auction results, new data obtained etc. Pricing has been edited/adjusted based on the previous sentence plus some other information that is explained in the new catalog. All in all, this catalog will be greatly expanded in medal content as well as informational content. I for one cannot wait to get hold of a new copy. My old catalog is like yours, quite tattered. My Dad's is so worn out from use I gave him my only spare since my working copy was a little better than his. 

Certainly in the Schützenfest medal hobby, the Richter revised/new catalog is highly anticipated to say the least! 

Yes, it is highly anticipated. If a person does not have the first edition and for that matter, even if they do, the second revised edition will be a must have for anyone with any amount of interest in Swiss schützenfest medals. 

The pictures are full size and in color and with the addition of English translations and so much new content this will be indespensible for reference. It is also going to have updated market values. 

The first one was published in 2005 and the revised new catalog will be published in 2018. This is only the second edition so to speak but with 13 years between. The new edition will have many more medals, new content in terms of notes and explanation, and the notes have been translated into English opposed to the first publishing being German and French. 

There is no set schedule for updates, the author, Jürg Richter, is doing the new catalog because of the need etc. 

Richter's catalog should be ready early 2018. Anyone with schützenfest medal interest should obtain one. The new catalog will have revised market pricing and many new medals that were unknown at last publishing date and/or not available to Richter for photography as well as added notes for many medals.  Another new feature besides the added content will be an English translation of important text including notes. It will be an indispensable reference for any Swiss schützenfest collector or aspiring collector. 

Hi Tim,

I have not seen it before and I am unsure about my Dad. I will show and ask him. This medal (30mm) is in Richter's new revised catalog. Actually, the picture in the revised catalog looks as though it is the same one as you show here. Some of the marks/patina looks extremely similar if not exact. Did you send him pictures of yours? 

Very nice looking medal!

I am going to PM (private message) you. 

Thanks for the additional pictures.

The medal was the one I thought it would be so my comments are correct. The Peter Weber medal is the more common one of the variants.

On 11/7/2017 at 10:22 AM, Willowskye said:

Thank you very much for that information.  Can I just ask please about these last 2.  I haven't found anything online quite like them.  Thanks so much for the help.

I can identify both of your medals but keep in mind that it is usually easier when pictures of both sides of any coin/medal are submitted for identification. In the case of your second medal, there are variants so positive identification is not possible but both variants are very close in value.

Medal 1: this medal is engraved with year and is known for every year in the 1930's. It is from the Canton of Basel and was awarded in the Young Shooters Shoot. It is 35mm in diameter and since your picture is not obvious, it is made of bronze or copper. This medal was minted in silver, bronze, and copper. It is engraved by H, Wirz, Basel and Huguenin, Le Locle. Somewhat rare with a market value depending on condition and metal type from $50 to $150. Keep in mind that the low value (condition included) is for a medal in at least EF condition.

Medal 2: This medal is a "gesamtschweizerisshe medaillen" or All Swiss Medal and is a medal without year. It is minted in silver and is from about 1921. It is also 35mm in diameter and was engraved by Franz Wagner, Zürich and Huguenin, Le Locle. As above, it is market valued based on condition from $20 to $70.

If possible, I would like to see pictures of the other sides.

10

On 11/2/2017 at 12:15 PM, Willowskye said:

Thank you for responding. I'm sorry I'm so delayed in getting back to you.  Here are 6 of them, I have several more.  I believe they are medals.  Several are marked Kranz Auszeichnung.  I don't know the metal composition, I was hoping that would sort itself out when someone recognizes them.   Please let me know if you need more information.  Thank you.

 

Hello,

You have some nice kranz abzeichen from Switzerland. They are shooting decorations, not medals. They were awarded for participation and honorable mention, etc. Swiss shooting decorations are not necessarily rare but at times they can be. Some silver and/or decorations from the 30's or prior can be considered rare and go for more than the common ones as you show here. 

I would estimate your's being valued between $2 (low) to $15 (high) each. Average maybe around $5 -7 each. Sometimes they go for more if someone is looking for a specific design motif or year. There have been many on eBay for sale around $15 for many months with little or no sales. 

1

You can search here at CoinPeople for picture posting directions. You can post quite easily.

For example, as I am typing this there is a paperclip icon at the bottom of the dialog box, next to the paperclip there is a hyperlink that says - "Click to choose files" . I click it then choose documents, it shows me a list of my pictures, I pick the picture I want, then I choose open and then I see a small thumnail of the picture and it is attached to this post. 

17 hours ago, Willowskye said:

I have recently acquired a collection of 36 Swiss shooting medals, mostly from the 1940's and 1950's.  What is the best source for determining their value?

I would be able to assist most likely. I would need good pictures of obverse and reverse, size of each metal in mm, metal composition if known, any markings on medal that may not be seen in pictures. 

Are they medals or decorations with ribbon (Kranz abzeichen)? 

I have initiated the repopulating of my medal pictures. It will take some time but I will keep plugging away as time allows. I am working my way backwards (newest to oldest) and of course, where someone quoted my post with a photo, the photo within the quote will not be there.

I know what you mean about third party sites. I suppose I can use my website but Flickr is very easy. I used Photobucket for over 10 years. I have to investigate using my website, but If I were to ever leave it/get a new host, I would encounter the same thing.