Switzerland's Shooting Talers for 2026 Continue a Long Tradition in Silver and Gold

Coins to help mark and promote the Swiss Federal Shooting Festival have been a tradition since the 19th century.

Published on February 12, 2026

The silver 50-francs will be limited to a mintage of 1,000 coins, and gold 500-francs to just 150 coins.

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The Swiss tradition of marksmanship was established in the old Swiss Confederacy in the 15th century, when festival participants used crossbows in shooting contests. The legend of William Tell recalls this tradition. In 2026, from June 5 to July 5, a Federal Shooting Festival will be held in Chur, the capital city of the canton of Graubünden. Federal Shooting Festivals are held every five years and are the largest such rifle and pistol shooting competitions in the world. Silver and gold versions of the traditional coins used to help mark and promote the event will be available in what has been a tradition since the 19th century.

The 50-franc silver proof coin with a mintage for 2026 of only 1,000 coins always sells out. It is .900 fine silver, weighs 25 grams and is 37 millimeters (1.45 inches) in diameter. It costs $199.75.

The 500-franc gold proof coin has a much lower mintage of just 150 coins and is oversubscribed. The Coin & Currency Institute has an allocation based on orders from last year when gold was close to $2,000 per ounce lower. The coin is made of .999 fine gold and weighs ½ troy ounce. It is 33 millimeters (1.3 inches) in diameter. The price is $3,500.00 and is offered subject to availability.

The designs are identical except for the expression of value on the reverse. The obverse shows a half bust facing, similar to other medallic interpretations of William Tell, seen here holding an arrow in his right hand. The legend has Shooting Festival Chur in Italian, Romansch, and French. The reverse shows an allegorical female symbolizing Switzerland with the city’s symbol, a horned goat, surrounded by the German legend Eidgenössisches Schützenfest (Federal Shooting Festival) Chur 2026. At the right are the German words Einlösbar am Fest (convertible at the festival) and conveying their legal status. Orders will be charged when shipped. Coins will be available and shipped in the middle of March.

These issues may be obtained from the Coin & Currency Institute, P.O. Box 399, Williston, Vermont 05495. They can be viewed and ordered online at www.coin-currency.com. $8.75 should be added to each order for insured shipping and handling. Major credit cards are accepted. Call toll-free 1-800-421-1866. Fax (802) 536-4787. E-mail: mail@coin-currency.com.