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Swiss Stamps


Pro Patria Issues

of 1958-1964

Pro Patria Swiss stamps generate funds to benefit social and cultural charities that are in the country's national interest.  Pro Patria, the Latin phrase from where we get our English word "Patriotism", means "for one's country" or "for the fatherland".

Most of the Pro Patria surtaxed stamps issued between 1958 and 1964 feature the themes of Minerals, Fossils, or Swiss Coins.  Some of the sets also contain one stamp commemorating a special event or famous person.

Unless stated otherwise, the surtax amounts on all these Swiss stamps benefited the Swiss National Fund or the Red Cross.



The 5 C. + 5 C. denomination stamp shown above (Zu. WII #86, Mi. #657, Sc. #B272) was issued on May 31, 1958 to publicize Aid to Needy Mothers.

The four mineral and fossil themed Pro Patria Swiss stamps shown above (Zu. WII #87-90, Mi. #658-61, Sc. #B273-76) were issued on May 31, 1958 to celebrate Swiss National Day

The designs are as follows:

  • 10 C. + 10 C. - Fluorite.
  • 20 C. + 10 C. - Ammonite - Extinct marine invertebrate.
  • 30 C. + 10 C. - Garnet.
  • 40 C. + 10 C. - Rock Crystal.



The 5 C. + 5 C. denomination stamp shown above (Zu. WII #91, Mi. #674, Sc. #B282) was issued on June 1, 1959 to honor Swiss Citizens Living Abroad.

The four mineral and fossil themed Pro Patria Swiss stamps shown above (Zu. WII #92-95, Mi. #675-78, Sc. #B283-86) were issued on June 1, 1959 to celebrate Swiss National Day

The designs are as follows:

  • 10 C. + 10 C. - Agate.
  • 20 C. + 10 C. - Tourmaline.
  • 30 C. + 10 C. - Amethyst.
  • 40 C. + 10 C. - Fossilized Salamander.



The four mineral and fossil themed Pro Patria Swiss stamps shown above (Zu. WII #96-99, Mi. #714-17, Sc. #B292-95) were issued on June 1, 1960 to celebrate Swiss National Day

The designs are as follows:

  • 05 C. + 05 C. - Smoky Quartz.
  • 10 C. + 10 C. - Feldspar.
  • 20 C. + 10 C. - Gryphaea - Fossilized extinct Oyster.
  • 30 C. + 10 C. - Azurite.


The 50 C. + 10 C. denomination stamp and the souvenir sheet shown above (Zu. WII #100, #102, Mi. #718 (Block 17), Sc. #B296-97) were issued on June 1, 1960 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Swiss National Day Committee.

The size of the souvenir sheet is 84 x 75 mm., and it sold for 3 Francs.



The 5 C. + 5 C. denomination stamp shown above (Zu. WII #103, Mi. #731, Sc. #B303) was issued on June 1, 1961 to honor Home Care Organizations.  The design features a history book, with symbols of time and eternity.

The four mineral and fossil themed Pro Patria Swiss stamps shown above (Zu. WII #104-07, Mi. #732-35, Sc. #B304-07) were issued on June 1, 1961 to celebrate Swiss National Day

The designs are as follows:

  • 10 C. + 10 C. - Fluorite.
  • 20 C. + 10 C. - Fossilized Fish.
  • 30 C. + 10 C. - Lazulite.
  • 50 C. + 10 C. - Fossilized Fern.



The 5 C. + 5 C. denomination stamp shown above (Zu. WII #108, Mi. #751, Sc. #B313) was issued on June 1, 1962 to honor Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778), the Swiss philosopher, writer and composer.

The four Swiss coins themed Pro Patria Swiss stamps shown above (Zu. WII #109-12, Mi. #752-55, Sc. #B314-17) were issued on June 1, 1962 to celebrate Swiss National Day.

The designs are as follows:

  • 10 C. + 10 C. - 1730 Half Thaler of Obwalden.
  • 20 C. + 10 C. - 1653 Gold Ducat of Schwyz.
  • 30 C. + 10 C. - Batzen of Uri.
  • 50 C. + 10 C. - Batzen of Nidwalden.



The 5 C. + 5 C. denomination Pro Patria stamp shown above (Zu. WII #113, Mi. #775, Sc. #B324) was issued on June 1, 1963 to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Birth of Dr. Anna Heer (1863-1918), the Swiss physician.  She was the founder of the Swiss Nursing School in Zurich, and she was the co-founder and first president of the Swiss Nursing Federation.

The higher-denomination Pro Patria stamps shown above (Zu. WII #114-17, Mi. #776-79, Sc. #B325-28) were issued on June 1, 1963 to publicize the Red Cross.

The designs of these stamps feature the Red Cross emblem and .....

  • 10 C. + 10 C. - Bandage roll.
  • 20 C. + 10 C. - Gift parcel.
  • 30 C. + 10 C. - Plasma bottles.
  • 50 C. + 10 C. - Red Cross armbands.



The 5 C. + 5 C. denomination stamp shown above (Zu. WII #118, Mi. #795, Sc. #B334) was issued on June 1, 1964 to honor Johann Georg Bodmer (1786-1864), the Swiss inventor.

The four Swiss coins themed Pro Patria Swiss stamps shown above (Zu. WII #119-22, Mi. #796-99, Sc. #B335-38) were issued on June 1, 1964 to celebrate Swiss National Day.

The designs are as follows:

  • 10 C. + 10 C. - Copper Schilling of Zurich.
  • 20 C. + 10 C. - Double Dicken of Basel.
  • 30 C. + 10 C. - Silver Thaler of Geneva.
  • 50 C. + 10 C. - Gold Half Gulden of Bern.








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