Hi everyone,
We have a christening in the UK coming up and thought it might be nice to give a gold swiss coin as a present, much like you would give a gold soveriegn. Having never bought a gold coin where would the best place to buy in in Geneva? post office? UBS? jewellers?
Thanks
Chester

certainly you can pop into your local UBS or CS precious metals counter and get a gold *something*, probably an ingot.

Or maybe even some of these

dave

Or maybe one of these

IIRC the old codger exiled himself and died in CH.

The most well-known Swiss gold coin is the Goldvreneli. They're traded for from less than 200 Fr. up to the five digit sums linked by DaveA. I don't know what's a good place for buying one.

The golden ''Helvetia'' from 1895 onwards and later the golden ''Vreneli'' ,were actually used as currencies up to 1936 in Switzerland.
They are a tradtitional gift for occasions such as Christenings, holy Communion or Church Confirmation,Weddings and Birthdays.
You can them either at a Bank, or in a store specialized in 'numismatik'

This is one in Geneva, where you will most likely find what you are looking for:
http://www.cabinetnumismatique.ch/


Small gold bracelet engraved with the babies name and DOB and/or first cutlery set, again engraved with the name of the Baby are other traditional gifts presented at this occasion in Switzerland

If you go into the UBS building at Bahnhofstrasse 45 in Zurich, turn right immediately at the door you're at the gold and numismatics display cases.

You can have a look at the stuff there and buy gold and coins.

I would assume the larger UBS branches in Geneva do the same, perhaps the one at Cornavin/Rue du Mont Blanc?

Thank you everyone for your advice,

I'll see if the UBS at Cornavin has any coins.

Cheers,

Chester

The UBS Gold and Numismatics page gives for Geneva:

UBS Gold & Numismatics Genève
Rue du Rhône 8
CH-1204 Genève
Tel.: +41 22 375 74 00
Fax: +41 22 375 74 07

In 2005 I wandered into a UBS branch in Geneva wanting to sell a few gold coins and was directed to that address, so I suspect that they may be the only UBS office in Geneva that deal in gold.