Basel (15)96 schilling
This specimen was lot 3091 in Sincona sale 91 (Zürich, May 2024), where it sold for 1,100 CHF (about US$1,454 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SCHWEIZ Bistum Basel, Jakob Christoph Blarer von Wartensee, 1575-1608. Schilling 1596, Delsberg. Zweifeldiges, geschweiftes Stifts- / Familienwappen, darüber die mindere Jahreszahl. Rv. Stehender hl. Ursicinus mit Buch und Blume. Selten in dieser Erhaltung. Gutes sehr schön. Exemplar der Slg. Kunzmann, Auktion SINCONA 53, Zürich, Oktober 2018, Los 6096. (Switzerland, bishopric of Basel, Jakob Christoph Blarer von Wartensee, 1575-1608, schilling of 1596, Delsberg mint. Obverse: impaled arms of the bishopric and the bishop, abbreviated date above; reverse: St. Ursus stands with book and flower. Rare in this condition, Good very fine.)"
The bishops of Basel were expelled from the town during the Reformation. Jakob Christoph Blarer (1542-1608) was made bishop in 1575 with the goal of reclaiming the canton for the Catholic Church. He succeeded in reclaiming a few districts in his prince-bishopric but failed to convert the town. However, he managed to obtain compensation from the city for confiscated episcopal property, restoring the bishopric's finances.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: billon, this specimen 0.89 g.
Catalog reference: D.T. 1291b, HMZ 2-120b (plate coin).
- Richter, Jürg, and Ruedi Kunzmann, Neuer HMZ-Katalog, Band 2: Die Münzen der Schweiz und Liechtensteins 15//16. Jahrhundert bis Gegenwart, Regenstauf, Germany: H. Gietl Verlag GmbH, 2006.
- [1]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 91, The Konrad Bürki Collection - Part 1 (Swiss Cantonal Coins), Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2024.
Link to:
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