Click here to sign in with or
Forget Password?
Learn more
share this!
5
10
Share
Email
April 13, 2021
A tiny Swiss gold coin bearing a picture of Albert Einstein sticking his tongue out has been crowned as the world’s smallest commemorative coin, Switzerland’s mint announced Tuesday.
The miniature coin, with a face value of a quarter of a Swiss franc (27 US cents, 23 euro cents), measures just 2.96 millimetres (0.1 inches) in diameter and weighs only 0.063 grammes (0.002 ounces).
“Guinness World Records has recognised the quarter-franc gold coin issued in 2020 as the world’s smallest commemorative coin,” Swissmint said in a statement.
Claiming inspiration from the “determination and patience” of theoretical physicist Einstein, who died in 1955, the coin features the Swiss citizen in his famous pose on the obverse.
The reverse shows the nominal value of the coin, the Swiss cross and the inscription Helvetia—the Latin name for Switzerland, which is used on coins in the four-language European nation.
However, casual observers should not expect to see much.
“The world’s smallest commemorative coin is decorated with images that cannot be discerned with the naked eye. Swissmint has therefore designed special packaging, complete with magnifying lenses and light,” it said.
Only 999 coins were struck, which all sold out quickly.
Meanwhile Switzerland also claimed another numismatic world record for the oldest coin still in circulation.
The 10-centime coin minted in 1879 remains valid as legal tender.
The coin’s reverse side features the face value surrounded by a wreath of oak leaves.
The obverse features a woman’s head in profile, looking to the right and wearing a diadem.
“The unaltered 10-centime coin has thus been in use for over 140 years, and has now been recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest coin still in circulation,” said Swissmint.
Explore further
© 2021 AFP
Feedback to editors
Oct 14, 2022
0
Oct 14, 2022
0
Oct 14, 2022
0
Oct 13, 2022
1
Oct 13, 2022
0
14 hours ago
14 hours ago
Oct 14, 2022
Oct 14, 2022
Oct 14, 2022
Oct 14, 2022
Oct 14, 2022
Aug 11, 2022
Aug 11, 2022
Aug 11, 2022
Aug 11, 2022
Aug 11, 2022
Aug 11, 2022
More from Physics Forums | Science Articles, Homework Help, Discussion
Oct 29, 2020
Mar 06, 2018
Sep 13, 2016
Jun 03, 2018
Jun 25, 2019
May 20, 2016
Oct 02, 2022
Sep 27, 2022
Sep 16, 2022
Sep 16, 2022
Jul 27, 2022
Jul 21, 2022
Use this form if you have come across a typo, inaccuracy or would like to send an edit request for the content on this page. For general inquiries, please use our contact form. For general feedback, use the public comments section below (please adhere to guidelines).
Please select the most appropriate category to facilitate processing of your request
Thank you for taking time to provide your feedback to the editors.
Your feedback is important to us. However, we do not guarantee individual replies due to the high volume of messages.
Your email address is used only to let the recipient know who sent the email. Neither your address nor the recipient’s address will be used for any other purpose. The information you enter will appear in your e-mail message and is not retained by Phys.org in any form.
Get weekly and/or daily updates delivered to your inbox. You can unsubscribe at any time and we’ll never share your details to third parties.
More information Privacy policy
Medical research advances and health news
The latest engineering, electronics and technology advances
The most comprehensive sci-tech news coverage on the web
This site uses cookies to assist with navigation, analyse your use of our services, collect data for ads personalisation and provide content from third parties. By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.