Published on 13 May 2026

20-franc silver special coin “European Space Agency ESA” 2026 | Swissmint

On 11 June 2026, Swissmint will issue the new 20-franc special silver coin, “European Space Agency ESA”. Minted in fine silver (999), this coin is a powerful symbol of Swiss technology and expertise.

The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. It coordinates and promotes the development of the European space sector. It has 23 member states, including Switzerland, and ensures that investments made in this area benefit all Europeans.

Switzerland plays an important role in this field. It is a founding member of the ESA and participates in almost all of its programmes, including the Ariane 6 programme. Switzerland’s contribution to the ESA enables Swiss universities and industrial companies to take part in international space missions and to play leading roles in them.

The Earth, the Moon and Mars are depicted on the obverse of the new “ESA” special coin; they are surrounded by the inscriptions “European Space Agency” and “Elevating the future of Europe”. This latter phrase is the motto of the “ESA Strategy 2040”. The aim of this strategy is to strengthen Europe’s autonomy, resilience and competitiveness in space. In the lower third of the obverse, a view of Europe from space is depicted. Switzerland is at the centre of this illustration.

The reverse of the “ESA” special coin shows the upper section of an Ariane 6 launch rocket, as well as the payload fairings developed and manufactured for this rocket by the Swiss company Beyond Gravity Switzerland. These protect the satellites from extreme thermal, acoustic and aerodynamic conditions. As soon as the launch rocket leaves the atmosphere, the payload fairing splits into two sections and drifts away. APCO Technologies also supplies components for the launch rocket, as well as essential ground equipment for its assembly. Around the edge of the coin is the face value of CHF 20, the inscription “CONFOEDERATIO HELVETICA”, the minting year 2026 and the mint mark “B” for Swissmint.

The coin will be released in a limited issue comprising 8,000 coins in uncirculated quality in the blister and 3,500 coins in proof quality in presentation case.

Availability

Ariane 6 is an ESA programme funded by thirteen participating States, including Switzerland. Both the launcher, built by ArianeGroup, and the launch facilities, provided by CNES, benefit from contributions by Swiss industry. Arianespace is responsible for its commercialisation.

Questions and answers about purchasing special coins

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