helvetica based on the helvetia - the old name of switzerland, where max miedinger came from.

Schweiz/Swiss/Switzerland

Helvetica is actually Latin for Swiss, not Switzerland (which is Helvetia). The coin you have probably reads Confoederatio Helvetica, which translates as Swiss Confederation, the Latin version of the official name of the country, which is printed on the coins and banknotes of the local currency.

FWIW, the typeface, which had been known as Neue Haas Grotesk during initial development at the Haas'sche Gie

...which is why Bitstream called their version of Helvetica "Swiss 721"

Helvetica is actually an Inuit word meaning 'the fish that no one admits to liking but which is consumed more than any other'.

I always thought the Inuit name for that particular fish was spelled "Helvertical".

I actually never ate the fish, did you?

Kinda boney looking.

I'll try anything once, Gerald. Even Helvetica.