As Supreme Commander during World War II, Henri Guisan played a crucial role in the defense against Germany and its allies. As the guardian of the homeland and Swiss democracy, his name became firmly entrenched in the collective memory of the Swiss people. In the following text, we briefly outline the history that made his name famous and the occasion for minting such a medal.
Let us mentally transport ourselves back to around the year 1940. Nazi Germany managed to swiftly conquer Poland. France was to follow, and to the south, fascist Italy under Mussolini, an ally of Hitler, bordered Switzerland. Faced with this threat, Henri Guisan mobilized hundreds of thousands of soldiers during World War II to defend Switzerland’s borders and repel a potential invasion by the Axis powers. His defense strategy involved primarily constructing heavy fortifications in the Alpine region, known as the “Réduit”.
This was a novelty in the country’s defense history, as previously the focus of defense had been on the Midlands and the borderlands. Guisan also advocated for a strict policy of neutrality and refused any cooperation with the warring parties to maintain Switzerland’s independence. Through his strategic decisions, Guisan successfully protected Switzerland from invasion during the war, thereby preserving the country’s sovereignty. His dedication and courage were seen by the population as crucial in safeguarding Switzerland.
After World War II, Henri Guisan withdrew from politics. However, he retained his respected and revered position in Swiss society. Despite his withdrawal, his legacy as a defender of Swiss neutrality and independence remained intact. Henri Guisan passed away in 1960 at the age of 92, and his legacy as a hero and protector of Switzerland continues to endure.
Turning to our gold medal: We see the uniformed bust of Henri Guisan facing right, surrounded by the inscription “GENERAL – HENRI GUISAN”. Below the collar, there are several hallmarks that reveal the gold content of this medal. On the back, at the top, is the Swiss cross in rays, below which is an engraving field. The medal does not bear a specific year, which is common for such pieces, but we speculate that this example could have been minted between 1950 and 1960, most likely for award purposes.
Over the years, numerous medals featuring his image have been minted following Guisan’s death. However, the award medal presented here is considered one of the most aesthetically pleasing medals of its kind. It displays an impressive portrait of Guisan, capturing his dignified appearance and determined demeanor as a general.
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Do you also own such a piece, or do you have a coin collection that you would like to sell? Then contact us now. Our Head of Numismatics, Mauritius Faber, will be happy to advise you.
Mauritius Faber
Head of Numismatics
Toggenburgerstrasse 139 | CH-9500 Wil, Switzerland
Phone 0041 71 923 77 44 | info(at)rapp-auktionen.ch