Description:

Obverse

Silvesterchlausen is the most impressive winter custom in the rural districts of Ausserrhoden. It has been kept up on 31st December in Herisau and a few other communes since time immemorial. Two communes, Urnäsch and Waldstatt, have remained true to the "Old New Year’s Eve” in accordance with the Julian calendar in which the Silvesterchläuse are out on the street on 13th January every year. Silvesterchlausen developed originally from the custom of singing in the New Year and the earlier widespread Bettelchlausen (begging for alms) and was only permitted on the days around the turn of the year. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the custom took on more rigid forms. Individuals got together in groups of Chläuse known as Schuppeln, to ring their cow bells in harmony, creating an impressive effect. The costumes of the Silvesterchläuse became ever more elaborate and varied.


The Chläuse get themselves ready in the early morning around five or six o’clock. They start well away from the village at a farm to which the Schuppel has been invited for breakfast. From there the Chläuse move from farm to farm. In front of each house they form a circle, ringing their cow bells and singing a “Zäuerli”, a wordless yodel. Finally they wish the house owner and his family a happy New Year with a firm handshake and move on to the next house in the same order as they arrived.


NOTE: Mintage in Proof of which 4,000 pieces in coin sets and Uncirculated of which 14,000 are in coin sets

Reverse

Lettering:
CONFOEDERATIO

HELVETICA

2013

10

B

FR