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Special coin ESA – a powerful symbol of Swiss technology and
expertise

On 11 June 2026, Swissmint launched the new “ESA” special coin, once again showcasing a flagship Swiss project. The new special coin follows the “CERN” special coin, which was dedicated to CERN in 2025.

The European Space AgencyFind out more about Switzerland’s contribution to the Ariane 6 rocket here

The European Space Agency

The European Space Agency ESA is Europe’s gateway to space. It coordinates and promotes the development of European space activities and ensures that the investments made in this area bring lasting benefits to all Europeans. It was founded in 1975 to make Europe technically and politically less dependent on the space-faring nations of the Soviet Union and the United States. ESA currently has 23 member states, including Switzerland.

Swiss technology is ubiquitous both on Earth and in space – during the moon landing, the Apollo 11 crew wore Swiss watches, and their suits were secured with Velcro fastenings invented by a Swiss engineer. Today, Swiss companies and universities are involved in most of ESA’s space research missions, including Solar Orbiter, Gaia, Juice and Rosalind Franklin. The two Swiss-based companies Beyond Gravity and APCO Technologies supply components for the Ariane 6 rocket as well as essential ground equipment.

Since May 2025, ESA has had its first permanent site in Switzerland: the European Space Deep-Tech Innovation Centre. This innovation centre was launched in collaboration with the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) and is located in the Park Innovaare in Villigen.

Image source: © ESA-CNES-ARIANESPACE/Optique vidéo du CSG–T. Leduc

Find out more about Switzerland’s contribution to the Ariane 6 rocket hereFind out more about Switzerland’s contribution to the Ariane 6 rocket here
Sondermünze ESA

Obverse

The Earth, Moon and Mars are depicted on the obverse of the new ESA special coin. They are encircled by the words “European Space Agency” and “Elevating the future of Europe”. The latter is the central theme of the “ESA Strategy 2040”, which aims to strengthen Europe’s autonomy, resilience and competitiveness in space. The lower third of the obverse features a view of Europe from space. Switzerland lies at the centre of this image.

Reverse

The reverse of the ESA special coin depicts the upper section of an Ariane 6 rocket and the payload fairings developed and manufactured for this rocket by the Swiss company Beyond Gravity Switzerland. These protect satellites from extreme thermal, acoustic and aerodynamic conditions. Once the rocket has left the atmosphere, the two fairings separate from the rocket. 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.

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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.