Twenty Francs 2021 Friedrich Dürrenmatt, Coin from Switzerland - detailed information

The Twenty Francs coin is a denomination of the Swiss Franc. Given that Switzerland has four official languages, the Franc has three different names: Franken in German, franc in French and Romansh, and franco in Italian.

In regular circulation, the denomination is served by a banknote. These coins are non-circulating legal tender made for collectors. They are issued in topical series, celebrating various aspects of Swiss heritage or nature.

The edge is usually inscribed with the motto DOMINUS PROVIDEBIT (The Lord will provide - a quote from the Bible, Genesis 22, 8), and thirteen stars representing the original thirteen cantons of the Swiss Federation.

This commemorative coin is dedicated to the 100th anniversary since the birth of Friedrich Dürrenmatt.

Playwright, story-teller, essayist and artist: Friedrich Dürrenmatt was born on 5 January 1921 in Konolfingen near Bern, the son of a protestant minister. In 1935, the family moved to Bern, where in 1941 Dürrenmatt began his studies in literature, philosophy and natural science. It was during this time that he produced his first literary texts, as well as ink drawings and paintings. In 1946, he abandoned his studies after deciding to become a writer. His first play, It is Written, premiered in 1947. Up to his death on 14 December 1990, Dürrenmatt lived in his house at Pertuis-du-Sault in Neuchâtel (now the Centre Dürrenmatt Neuchâtel), to which he had moved in 1952.

He is most famous for his plays The Visit and The Physicists, and the crime novels The Judge and his Hangman and The Pledge. His work has been translated into over 40 languages and has received numerous prizes, making him one of the most successful German-speaking writers of international renown.

Dürrenmatt bequeathed his literary legacy to the Swiss Confederation. This led to the establishment of the Swiss Literary Archives in 1991. His paintings and drawings are curated by the Centre Dürrenmatt Neuchâtel, which opened in the year 2000.