schutzenfester

No date, canton Valais R1547a Valais Cantonal Master Shoot Silver 50 mm Engraver: Huguenin, Le Locle R

1956 Canton Schywz R1112a Cantonal Shoot, Marksman 50 meters AR 50 mm Engraver: Huguenin, Le Locle R

Since I don't often, I thought I would post a few modern Swiss shooting medals. One year medal, Canton St. Gallen R1245a Cantonal Shoot, Marksman AR 40 mm Engraver: Huguenin, Le Locle R

Very interesting information and nice presentation of the two pieces.

1844 St. Livres, Canton Vaud R1557a / M918 Société Militaire Silver 27mm RR This very rare medal is seldom seen or offered for sale. I posted this medal previously but felt the picture was inferior so I decided to try again. Looped medals are more difficult for me to put into my template etc. but I have started manipulating the picture in a different way with positive results. This medal and the previous looped medal posted are examples of the new technique.

Such interesting reading. Being able to purchase the plaque and the book no less, from his widow is very nice. It will be great to have the piece since it has the provenance. I am sure you are very happy with how this has transpired; patience and research pays off!

Wow! Congratulations on such a find and great work and diligence in regard to your research.

1862 Lugano, canton Ticino R1357b / M759 Cantonal Shoot AR 36 mm RR Very rare and difficult to obtain and/or find.

The case above is most likely the original case. I can explain that by stating that one cannot be sure it is the original case because it does not specifically identify the year and the shoot on the case itself. It is the correct diameter for the medal and it is certainly an Edouard Durussel case of the period. Because the medal is in UNC condition and the case is also in excellent condition one would deduce that the the case came with the medal. Edouard Durussel made many medals that were sold at schützenfests as souvenirs of the shoot. Since he was prolific for this, his cases were not as elaborate as medals that were awarded. Original cases can be stated as the original case only, and this is my opinion, if the case is specifically embossed with at least the year of the shoot or some other type of specific identifier. Most cases that are embossed for schützenfests also have the specific shoot embossed on the case along with the year. I will state however, that many medals were awarded in cases without any identification embossed on them (a matter of inconvenience and cost) but then there is no proof that it is the original case. I say that because I know for a fact that many European dealers put schützenfest medals that they acquired without a case in to cases of the correct diameter and then sell as medal in case or original case. Purchasing a schützenfest medal in the original embossed case is rare enough to command a 10-20% premium over market value depending on the case condition and the medals' rarity. But you should only pay a premium when the case is embossed and therefore proven it is the original case. It is my opinion from years of collecting schützenfest medals that all or nearly all medals were awarded in some type of case/enclosure.

1881 Fribourg, canton Ticino R404b obverse and R409 reverse as one single medal Federal Shoot SilverBronze 47 mm Engraver: Edouard Durussel, Bern R404b: RR R409b: RR This medal is not listed in Richter and while it may or may not be more rare than R404 or R409, which are both listed as RR, it must be said that Edouard Durussel was a prolific medal designer and maker. He sold his medals at the shoots as souvenirs of the shoot but are still very rare. I do not feel it is all that strange that he made a decision or a mistake putting these two different medal sides together to make a "different" medal in order to make income. It is however not listed in Martin or Richter. I was able to obtain it in its original round cardboard case in UNC condition.

Hello, I am glad you are finding this thread about schützenfest medals interesting. In regard to your comment about the 1911 Olten medal, I can let you know that I posted a picture of both the obverse and reverse sides of the gold example on page 34. Their beauty, intricate detailed engraving, the fact that many examples are in great condition due to the medals being prized by their owners, and their overall rarity drew me to this wonderful hobby. I find it rewarding that this shooting medal thread has so many views and posts from members reflecting many of the same thoughts.

1. While the grade does matter, I feel too many sellers who are not experienced schützenfest medal collectors, place too much emphasis on the grade in regards to their pricing. Some of the current prices asked for by inexperienced schützenfest medal sellers are ridiculous. I have been collecting for 34 years, my Father for 52 years and we only own a few medals that are encapsulated. We have not seen the need to encapsulate to obtain realized value. I do not disagree with encapsulation but as always; Buy the medal, not the slab. I have many medals that would grade higher than MS 65 but do not sell them for inflated prices as you see many times on the 'bay, yet I understand that the higher grade medals certainly increases value. Plus, most encapsulated medals you see offered for sale are common types and not the more rare that can still be had although with effort. Rare schützenfest medals are not seen often on the common venues of today. And many times purchasers pass up rare medals that are available for whatever reason. While common medals sell and are many times just as beautifully detailed as any other they are still common. Over the years I have sold so many common medals to my customers that I essentially discontinued selling them a few years ago because there was little to no market and since I do not encapsulate my medals and do not believe in marking up prices I do not attempt to sell them much at all anymore. This is by choice and a matter of principle in regards to marking up prices to the levels you see many for sale at on the 'bay. 2. A person cannot answer your question regarding surviving mintage because it is unknown. However, over the years medals were melted in poor economic times for bullion, mistreated, and lost to general attrition. I wrote a small article several years ago outlining schützenfest medals and it is now on Wikipedia that explains this to a degree and provides an overview to the novice. Many people now copy and paste it when selling shooting medals on various sites. The more common the medal the more likely that mintage is less than known mintage figures. The more rare the medal then the more likely an individual and/or family would treasure the possession etc. etc.

Hello bekiz, Your schützenfest medal is from the Canton of Vaud, City of Lausanne and was awarded during the Cantonal Schützenfest of 1894. The medal was minted in 4 variations of 44 mm diameters. 1. Gold, RRR (extremely rare), 68.9 grams with 6 examples 2. Silver, H or common with 1,000 minted 3. Gold plated bronze, RRR 4. Bronze, H, 880 examples. Engraved by Charles Jean Richard and Louis Furet of Geneve and Charles Vuillermet of Lausanne It is Richter number 1591b (R1591b) and Martin number 946 (M946) I hope this additional information is helpful. Your example looks quite nice, what grade did NGC give it?

Thanks Kim, Both of yours are very nice. Are you still active in your schützenfest collecting efforts? I ask since I have not seen any posts for quite some time. I do my best to keep this post active. First, my interest has never waivered and second, I would like to see 100,000 views and 1,000 posts some time in the not so distant future. I see quite a few shooting medals for sale on eBay for extremely high prices, not sure if any actually sell but there are certainly more than there were just a couple of years ago which says something about this fascinating hobby. I hope all is well and I look forward to posting more as I can as well as talking more about the hobby to all the fine members of this forum!

Thanks Arminius, that is what I assumed but was not certain of. I appreciate your time and information. I have had this coin for about 40 years, misplaced it, and recently found it again. I do collect numismatics but this example is my only ancient. It is nice to know so much more than I have ever before! Have a great weekend.

Thank you very much for the detailed information! From what I found online, while very old, it does not seem to be very rare. I believe the condition is good and the patina etc. original. Do you agree with my statement/observations? Thanks for your help.

Please correct or confirm. I believe I was able to identify to a degree: Egypt, Ptolemaic Kings. Ptolemy IV. 221-205 BC. Bronze 36x38mm, 40.58 grams. Zeus Ammon

Hello all, My Father gave me this coin many years ago and I had forgotten about it until I found it recently. This is my only ancient and since I do not collect these I am having some trouble identifying it. I thought someone here may be able to save me some time and let me know the specifics. If so, I would appreciate any and all information about it. Thanks! Update: Please correct or confirm. I believe I was able to identify to a degree: Egypt, Ptolemaic Kings. Ptolemy IV. 221-205 BC. Bronze 36x38mm, 40.58 grams. Zeus Ammon

Thanks Art, I can also add that they are extremely close and/or spot on in terms of actual representation. Many times as you, I'm sure are aware, the color may not be accurately portrayed by the medium and/or the monitor.

I was looking at the elongated coins topic and thought I should post a couple of pictures of Swiss Schutzenfest medals that are oval. They are not elongated coins as per the usual here in the states but are struck/rolled in this fashion. The first is from Uster in the canton of Zürich, 1978 small caliber Cantonal Shoot. 33mm X 30mm and 7.3 grams .900 silver. The second is from the canton of Appenzell, 1977 Cantonal Shoot, 34mm X 29mm and 7.25 grams .900 silver

I was looking at this topic and thought I should post a couple of pictures of Swiss Schutzenfest medals that are oval. They are not elongated coins as per the usual here in the states but are struck/rolled in this fashion. The first is from Uster in the canton of Zürich, 1978 small caliber Cantonal Shoot. 33mm X 30mm and 7.3 grams .900 silver. The second is from the Canton of Appenzell, 1977 Cantonal Shoot, 34mm X 29mm and 7.25 grams .900 silver

Thanks Art. While I have been collecting schützenfest medals for over thirty years now, I still love the hobby. The medals have such detailed engraving and the fact that they are at times difficult to acquire makes it as fresh as it has ever been. Even though you see schützenfest medals quite often on the 'bay, they are usually the more common ones and many of them are at inflated and over market prices. I have seen a steady increase in market prices since the publication of the Richter books. Because of this and various other reasons including a seller not knowing any better, the prices now are quite high, especially the common medals. Regardless, raw or slabbed, the common medals now fetch prices I would never even consider paying. I understand that one reason is partly that I have most common medals and have sold many commons over the years. In addition, since I have been doing this so long it is difficult for me to see a medal selling (asking price) for 3-4 times as much as I have ever paid. This is not good for the buyer but as I have stated previously, it is great for the seller and the hobby in general. Only 20 years ago, for example I could pick up 1901 Lucerne for between 20-30 dollars. I am glad that so many members here appreciate their beauty, I will continue to post pictures from time to time, and I hope that people will inquire and ask questions as they arise. I am always more than happy to assist in any way I can.

I posted pictures of three medals today. One from Weinfelden, canton Thurgau and two others from canton Ticino.

1900 Locarno, canton Ticino R1416a / M810 Inaugural Shoot Silver 44 mm Mintage: estimate of 200 Engraver: Stefano Johnson, Milan RR

1902 Chiasso, canton Ticino R1425a / M821 District Shoot Silver 44 mm Engraver: Stefano Johnson, Milan RR I now have two of these, one having slightly different patina yet both are wonderful examples for such a rare medal!