Index · Edition · li-jass-cards-2024
Swiss Jass Cards
Swiss Jass Cards
Philatelie Liechtenstein issued in November 2024 four crypto stamps featuring the classical symbols of the Swiss/Liechtenstein Jass card game — Rose, Acorn, Schilten, and Bell. Jass is a traditional card game played in Liechtenstein and Switzerland for centuries. Each pack contains 36 traditional Jass cards plus one of four crypto stamps. Each motif type has four rarity tiers: 1,200 pieces (one symbol), 500 pieces (two symbols), 250 pieces (three symbols), and 50 pieces (four symbols). A total of 8,000 stamps were minted on Ethereum. Designer: Isabella Gassner.
Variants
| Variant | Variant | Mintage |
|---|---|---|
| Rose - One flower | 1,200 | |
| Rose - Two flowers | 500 | |
| Rose - Three flowers | 250 | |
| Rose - Four flowers | 50 | |
| Acorn - One acorn | 1,200 | |
| Acorn - Two acorns | 500 | |
| Acorn - Three acorns | 250 | |
| Acorn - Four acorns | 50 | |
| Schilten - One schilt | 1,200 | |
| Schilten - Two schilt | 500 | |
| Schilten - Three schilt | 250 | |
| Schilten - Four schilt | 50 | |
| Bell - One bell | 1,200 | |
| Bell - Two bells | 500 | |
| Bell - Three bells | 250 | |
| Bell - Four bells | 50 |
History and Context
The Jass Cards Edition 2024 marks Liechtensteinische Post's fourth crypto stamp release of 2024. The edition features four stamps depicting the traditional symbols of the Swiss/Liechtenstein Jass card game: Rose, Acorn, Schilten, and Bell. Designer Isabella Gassner created the artwork.
Technical Specifications
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Release date | 4 November 2024 |
| Number of designs | 4 (Rose, Acorn, Schilten, Bell) |
| Designer | Isabella Gassner (Liechtenstein) |
| Platform | Stamp 4.x |
| Printer | Gutenberg AG, Schaan |
| Pack contents | 36 Jass cards + 1 crypto stamp |
| Total mintage | 8,000 stamps (2,000 per design) |
| Blockchain | Ethereum |
The Jass Card Game
Jass is a traditional card game played in Switzerland and Liechtenstein since the 18th century. The game uses a specialized 36-card deck with four suits of nine cards each. The suits differ from standard playing cards:
- Rose (roses) — corresponds to hearts
- Acorn (acorns) — corresponds to spades
- Schilten (shields) — corresponds to clubs
- Bell (bells) — corresponds to diamonds
These four symbols form the basis of the stamp designs. The game employs trick-taking mechanics with a trump system.
Distribution Format
Each pack contains:
- 36 traditional Jass playing cards (complete deck)
- 1 crypto stamp (random design and rarity)
The blind pack format means purchasers cannot determine the stamp type or rarity before opening. This distribution method combines a functional card game with the crypto stamp collecting element.
Variant Distribution and Rarity
The edition employs a four-tier rarity system across each design:
| Rarity tier | Visual indicator | Mintage per design | Total mintage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common | 1 symbol | 1,200 | 4,800 |
| Uncommon | 2 symbols | 500 | 2,000 |
| Rare | 3 symbols | 250 | 1,000 |
| Ultra rare | 4 symbols | 50 | 200 |
This creates 16 distinct variants (4 designs × 4 rarity levels). The rarest variants (4 symbols) represent 2.5% of the total mintage.
Designer Profile
Isabella Gassner is a Liechtenstein-based designer who created all of Liechtensteinische Post's 2024 crypto stamp releases. Her design approach features vector art with clean lines and vibrant colors. She likely also designed the Fantastic Animal World Series (2022-2023), though this remains unconfirmed.
Cultural Heritage Theme
The Jass Cards edition continues Liechtenstein's pattern of cultural heritage themes in crypto stamps:
| Edition | Year | Cultural reference |
|---|---|---|
| Stamp 4.0 Perspective | 2021 | National identity and blockchain vision |
| Stamp 4.2 Unity | 2023 | Liechtenstein-Switzerland Customs Treaty centenary |
| Princess Marie | 2024 | Royal heritage |
| Jass Cards | 2024 | Traditional card game heritage |
Comparison with Trading Card Games
The edition shares structural elements with trading card games:
| Element | Trading card games | Jass Cards Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Distribution | Blind booster packs | Blind packs with cards + stamp |
| Rarity tiers | Multiple rarity levels | 4 rarity levels per design |
| Collection goal | Complete sets | 16 total variants |
| Dual function | Game play and collecting | Jass game and stamp collecting |
| Secondary market | Card shops, online platforms | OpenSea, stamp dealers |
Market and Collection
The 16-variant structure (4 designs × 4 rarities) creates a defined collection goal. With only 50 copies of each ultra-rare variant, completing a full set requires acquiring stamps from a pool of just 200 pieces for the rarest tier.
Secondary market channels include:
- OpenSea for NFT trading
- Traditional stamp dealers and auction houses
- Online marketplaces for physical stamps
- Jass player communities
Technical Implementation
The edition runs on the Stamp 4.x platform on Ethereum. Each stamp exists as both a physical collectible and an NFT, maintaining the hybrid physical-digital format established in earlier Liechtenstein crypto stamp releases.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Jass and why as a theme?
Jass is a traditional card game of Switzerland and Liechtenstein, played in the region since the 18th century. The game uses a special 36-card deck with four suits: Rose (roses, equivalent to hearts), Acorn (acorns, equivalent to spades), Schilten (shields, equivalent to clubs), and Bell (bells, equivalent to diamonds). Jass is deeply rooted in the culture of both countries and demonstrates the close cultural connection between Liechtenstein and Switzerland, fitting the Customs Treaty line from 2023. The four-symbol system resembles modern trading card mechanics and appeals to both older and younger collectors.
How does the rarity distribution work?
Per Jass card type (Rose, Acorn, Schilten, Bell) there are four rarity levels with different mintages. The most common variant with one symbol has 1,200 pieces, followed by two symbols with 500 pieces, three symbols with 250 pieces, and four symbols with only 50 pieces. Total per type is 2,000 stamps, with four types making 8,000 stamps total. This rarity mechanic resembles trading card systems with different scarcity levels. Collectors buy blind packs and do not know in advance which rarity they will receive.