Swiss badge

In 1940, the Swiss National Fund (SNS) and the Red Cross joined forces for a major fundraising campaign. This led to the issuance of a specific commemorative pin.

While the well-known oval silver medal from 1918 (also by Hans Frei) was intended purely for soldiers and their families, the 1940 campaign focused on a broader humanitarian cause in the early years of the Second World War.

Characteristics of the 1940 edition:

• Inscription: The text on these items usually reads: "Für die Schweizer Nationalspende und das Rote Kreuz 1940" (For the Swiss National Fund and the Red Cross 1940).
• Execution: Unlike the luxurious silver medals of 1918, the 1940 versions are often designed as a Steckmedaille (pin) made of simpler metal (Buntmetall) to be worn on clothing as a sign of support.
• Symbolism: They often depict a combination of the Swiss Cross and a soldier with a rifle on guard.
• Purpose: The proceeds were intended for the medical care of soldiers, aid to civilian populations in need, and support for the families of mobilized men.

Difference from 1918

Although Hans Frei was the designer of the iconic 1918 medal, many of the simpler 1940 pins are attributed to the tradition he started, even though they are not always all personally signed by him like the silver pieces.

Dimensions: 28 x 28 mm.