On St Martin's Day, 11 November, a large number of festivities and traditions are celebrated in Switzerland. A particularly striking tradition is the "Gansabhauet" in Sursee, where two dead geese are suspended by the neck, one after the other, from a wire rope on a stage erected in front of the town hall. Young men, and occasionally women too, dressed in red cloaks and with a sun mask over their heads, try to sever the goose's neck with a single blow from their sabre. To ensure that this is not too easy, a pointed cap is pulled down over the candidates' faces so that they cannot see anything, the dragoon sabre is blunt and a glass of red wine as well as a few 360° turns are enough to make the participants a little unsteady. The Federal Mint Swissmint is celebrating this unique Swiss tradition with a bimetallic coin designed by the artist Thyl Manuel Eisenmann from Lucerne. The new "Gansabhauet" commemorative coin is available in the minting qualities "uncirculated" and "polished proof" in a presentation case. It will also form part of the 2014 set of Swiss circulation coins.

For the past 50 years, the red and white aircraft of the Patrouille Suisse have been thrilling a wide audience in Switzerland and abroad with their displays at military and civil aviation events. Our Air Force's aerobatic squadron has become a hallmark for Switzerland and its proverbial precision, and showcases not only our armed forces, but our country as a whole. To mark the anniversary, Swissmint is issuing a silver commemorative coin with a face value of 20 francs. Designed by the Swiss illustrator Angelo Boog, the coin is available in the minting qualities "uncirculated" and "polished proof" in a presentation case.

On the last weekend of August and the first weekend of September this year, a major flying display, AIR 14, will take place in Payerne to celebrate not only the 50th anniversary of the Patrouille Suisse, but also the Swiss Air Force's centenary.

Commemorative coins and sets of circulation coins now available

Swissmint will present the new products at the Basel Coin Fair (1 and 2 February 2014) and at the World Money Fair in Berlin (7-9 February 2014), where direct purchase will also be possible. The coins are also available from coin dealers, banks and at www.swissmint.ch/shop.

The Federal Mint Swissmint

The Federal Mint Swissmint produces the country's coins for use in everyday payment transactions. The Federal Mint also regularly issues commemorative coins and coinage of a higher standard for the numismatic market. Coins in bimetal, silver and gold bear an official nominal value and are available in various minting qualities. Swissmint is also the official authority for public and private clients seeking authenticity checks and expert opinion.

New Swiss commemorative coins: "Gansabhauet Sursee" and "50 years of Patrouille Suisse"