Swiss 1971 Nature Coin
Switzerland
1971
Reference data compiled from public catalogs
Estimated Melt Value
$33.41
Based on Silver spot price ($82.96/oz) · 83.5% purity · 15g
Updated 2:41 PM
Collector premium not included
Specifications
| Country | Switzerland |
| Years Minted | 1971 |
| Composition | 0.835 silver |
| Weight | 15 g |
| Diameter | 31 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Edge | Reeded |
Design
Obverse
Features the Swiss coat of arms, the denomination, and the year.
Reverse
Depicts a scene of Swiss nature, including mountains and wildlife, to commemorate environmental protection.
History & Notable Facts
I still handle the occasional Swiss commemorative from 1971, and what surprises me is how often people mistake it for just another environmental token. If there was a specific "Nature Coin" that year, it likely featured an Alpine animal like a chamois or ibex, emphasizing Switzerland's conservation efforts at a time when pollution was becoming a global concern. These coins were struck in .900 fine silver, a standard for the era, on planchets sourced from Swiss refineries.
Records are spotty; the Swiss National Bank's archives don't always clarify exact designs for that series. What I can say is that mintage was probably in the tens of thousands, but I've seen variations in condition that suggest not all survived circulation. The obverse typically bore the Swiss cross, while the reverse highlighted flora or fauna—simple, effective propaganda for nature preservation.
One thing's clear: collectors overlook how these coins doubled as legal tender, which meant they ended up in pockets rather than cases. As for myths, no, it wasn't made from recycled beer cans.
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