SWITZERLAND. Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft (Swiss Confederation). 1848-present. '2 Rappen 1888' (Bronze, 13 mm, 0.56 g, 12 h), miniature medallic issue by L. C. Lauer Nürnberg (Nuremberg). L.C.LAUER Swiss shield with liberty cap atop set on olive and oak wreath. Rev. 2 within olive wreath. Pressler 961 (part of). Tiny deposits, otherwise, virtually as struck.


These unusual miniature pieces have been interpreted in a variety of ways: as patterns, as play money, or as miniature and promotional issues. The last of these is almost certainly the most accurate.

The private minting company Lauer, which operated on an industrial scale - especially between 1856 and 1915 - created an extraordinary number of coin and medal designs for markets worldwide. Alongside pattern pieces, the company also produced miniature issues of established and widely recognized circulating coinage, intended for advertising purposes. Included among these are the Swiss coins of 1888, which Lauer issued as a complete miniature set bearing the firm’s name. Similar promotional miniatures are known for Denmark, Greece, Portugal, and Serbia (cf. E. Pressler: Schraubtaler und Steckmedaillen, Stuttgart 2000, p. 324, no. 961).