Switzerland 20 Swiss francs 2012 The 80 years of Globi
Caption: “Globi” – A silver coin and a gateau for his 80th birthday
Reverse: Globi holding cake, "Globi".
Lettering: Globi.
The obverse has a typically minimalistic design, simply featuring the Swiss cross and the slightly offset legend: “CONFOEDERATIO HELVETICA”, “2012” and “20 FR”. Indicating the face value of 20 Swiss Franc, date and country of issue.
Lettering: CONFOEDERATIO HELVETICA 2012 B 20 FR.
Edge: Inscripted.
Lettering: DOMINUS PROVIDEBIT ************.
Artist in the style of Robert Lips.
Technical data Alloy: Silver 0.835.
Weight: 20 g.
Diameter: 33 mm.
Legal face value 20 Swiss francs.
Date of issue 5th June 2012.
Mintage Standard coinage, uncirculated: max. 50,000 coins.
Proof coin in presentation case: max. 7,000 coins.
Guide prices Standard coinage: CHF 25.00.
Proof coin: CHF 55.00.
Coined and issued by Federal Mint Swissmint Bern.
The Federal Mint Swissmint is dedicating a commemorative coin to Globi, the most successful Swiss children’s book character ever, in honour of his 80th birthday. The silver coin has a face value of 20 francs. It was designed in the style of the Globi artist Robert Lips and is available in “uncirculated” and “proof coin” qualities in a presentation case. In a symbolic act on 6th June 2012, Kurt Rohrer, Swissmint Managing Director, will be handing over a large model of the commemorative coin to a Globi figure at the Heidsee lake in Lenzerheide.
Globi was created in 1932 as part of the activities to mark the 25th anniversary of the Globus department store. The enthusiastic public response led to Globi’s adventures appearing initially as a teenage magazine and later also in book form. The character has become an integral part of the Swiss cultural treasures and has accompanied generations of children.
Globi
Globi is a Swiss cartoon character often referred to as Switzerland's Mickey Mouse. He is pictured as an anthropomorphic blue parrot with a yellow beak wearing a black beret and a pair of red and black checkered trousers. He was created by the Swiss cartoonist Robert Lips, as an advertising character for the Swiss department store Globus in 1932 for the company's 25th anniversary. He was originally planned to be called “Kimbukku”, but later renamed Globi after the local Basel German (Baseldytsch) dialect word for the department store that created him.
History
He initially appeared in a cartoon strip called “Der Globi”, and later appeared in a cartoon picture-book form called “Globi's World Voyage” in 1935. By 1944, the character gained so much popularity that Globus created a separate company for it, and in 1948 Globi had sold over one million picture books. He was introduced in other markets such as the Netherlands, Belgium and Brazil, but did not do as well. In the 1970s, he was accused of being sexist, racist, and promoting violence, which was based on the attitudes of the 1940s and 1950s, but these accusations did not hold.
Present
He is one of the most popular characters in Switzerland, with sales of over 9 million books, and in October 2003, a full-length film, “Globi and the Stolen Shadows” was made which was based on him. It was directed by Robi Engler in Anime-style. Beside the books, there is a lot of Globi merchandise, including cuddly toys, crockery, cutlery, clocks, school equipment, card games, food. From December 2008, the Swiss town of Engelberg hosts a Globi theme park.