Description
Huguenin Fréres
Huguenin Frères, renowned medal makers, began their journey not with medals, but with watch cases. In 1868, brothers Fritz and Albert Huguenin established their company in Le Locle, in Switzerland’s canton of Neuchâtel, specializing in intricately decorated watch cases. Their expertise in the niello technique, which involves creating a black design on silver, garnered them international acclaim. However, as watch case demand declined in the late 1880s, the company successfully pivoted to medal minting, seizing an era when medals were widely commissioned for various occasions.
By the turn of the century, Huguenin had become Switzerland’s leading medal manufacturer, securing both national and international commissions. Their small workshop expanded into a full-scale factory by 1899, and by 1910, the company employed over 300 people. Huguenin was not only a premier producer of medals but also played a significant role in coin production. A substantial share of Swiss medals originated in Le Locle, alongside shooting medals and vast quantities of orders, decorations, and circulation coins for countries such as Serbia, Poland, Latvia, Romania, Bolivia, and Ecuador.
Innovation remained a cornerstone of Huguenin’s success. In 1952, the company began producing the iconic snowflake-shaped medals for the World Cup of Skiing, counting FIFA, UEFA, and the International Olympic Committee among its loyal clients. A testament to their pioneering spirit, Huguenin created the world’s first color coin in 1992 for the Republic of Palau.
Despite its remarkable legacy, the company ultimately succumbed to changing times and ceased operations in 2022, marking the end of over 150 years of excellence in medal and coin production.
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This is a one-of-a-kind item; please review the photos carefully to determine the condition.
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