Swiss Shooting Talers

Commemorative coins will be produced for Switzerland’s 2026 Federal Shooting Festival, taking place June 5 to July 5 in Chur, the capital city of the canton of Graubünden. Held every five years, the Federal Shooting Festival is the largest rifle and pistol shooting competition in the world. 

The Swiss tradition of marksmanship dates to the 15th century in the old Swiss Confederacy, when festival participants used crossbows in shooting contests. Silver and gold versions of the traditional coins struck to help mark and promote the event have been offered for sale since the 19th century.  

Available through the Coin & Currency Institute, the 2026 silver proof 50-franc coin with a mintage of 1,000 costs $199.75 and traditionally sells out. The 500-franc half-ounce gold proof piece has a mintage of just 150 and is oversubscribed. The Coin & Currency Institute has an allocation based on orders from last year when gold’s spot price was $2,000 per ounce less, so the price of the 2026 gold coin is $3,500 and is offered subject to availability.

The designs of both pieces are identical (except for the denomination on the reverse). The obverse depicts legendary folk hero William Tell holding an arrow in his right hand, encircled by a legend that reads “Shooting Festival Chur” in Italian, Romansch, and French. The reverse shows an allegorical female symbolizing Switzerland standing next to a horned goat. 

Visit the Coin & Currency Institute’s website to purchase. Orders will be shipped in the middle of March and will include an $8.75 shipping and handling fee.