Switzerland Announces First Issues for 2002: 400th Anniversary of Victory in Geneva "Escalade" Battle.

    Bimetal 5 Franc coin with a "ladder and vegetable" motif available February 2002 individually and in annual mint and proof set.
    For spectacle and merrymaking, no festival in Switzerland matches the one weekend each December when the "Escalade," is held in Geneva. The celebration is for the anniversary of the victory by Geneva's citizens in 1602 over the attacking forces of the Duke of Savoy, who were on a mission to capture the city. Escalade is the French word meaning "scaling the walls" and is a reference to the unsuccessful efforts by the Savoyards to seize Geneva by climbing over its ramparts on collapsible ladders.
    The 400th anniversary of the battle is being marked on Switzerland's 5 Franc copper-nickel bimetallic coin to be released on February 1, 2002. The Savoyard ladders leaning against the city walls make up the gold-colored central core of the reverse while an outline of medieval Geneva and "Escalade 1602-2002" are engraved on the coin's ring. The core of the obverse has the denomination, date, "B" mintmark of Bern and "Confederatio Helvetica." On the ring, in one of the more unusual themes ever devised for a coin, are a random assortment of vegetables.
    These are a tribute to the enduring legend of Mere Royaume, who was said to be cooking vegetable soup when she heard elements of the battle outside her kitchen. Rising to the call to arms, she promptly threw her cauldron of hot soup from her window, hit an enemy soldier on the head and killed him. During the annual celebration this traditional soup is doled out to visitors at city hall, and in the city's bakeries, marzipan-shaped vegetables are a prominent part of the seasonal confections.
    The 5 Franc coin is 33 mm in diameter and weighs 15 grams. The 160,000 uncirculated specimens will be available for $7.50 each, while the 15,000 proof quality versions will cost $19.50. This coin will also be one of nine in the 2002 Swiss year set. The others are the regular 5 franc, the 2, 1 and ½ franc, and the 20, 10, 5 and 1 rappen. Mintage on the uncirculated set is 22,000 with a price of $29.50. The proof set is limited to only 6,000 sets at $65.00 per set.