Basel 1741 1/2 thaler KM-145
This specimen was lot 3037 in Sincona sale 94 (Zürich, October 2024), where it sold for 375 CHF (about US$520 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SCHWEIZ Basel, Stadt und Kanton, Halbtaler 1741, Basel. Stadtansicht. Rv. Basilisk nach links, geschweiftes Wappen. Winterstein (Taler) 155. Dunkle Patina. (Switzerland, canton of Basel, half thaler of 1741, Basel mint. Obverse: city view; reverse: basilisk left, supporting the city arms. NGC AU50. Dark toning.)"
The SCWC lists four different half thalers for 1741: KM 145 (shown here), KM 146 (basilisk facing left), KM 147 (basilisk facing right, wings up), KM 148 (basilisk facing right, wings down). They vary in the pose of the basilisk. Next issue of half thalers was in 1757. The basilisk is the badge of the city of Basel. The bishopric of Basel, which surrounded the town, also struck coins, mostly conventional portrait types. The city, however, struck a series of spectacular "city view" thalers, including Dav-1750. This type is accompanied by a very rare double thaler (Dav-1749).
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 14.03 g, 0.833 fine silver, 34-35 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM 145, D.T. 754b, HMZ 2-100f.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- 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.
- Winterstein, Christian, Die Taler Von Basel, Basel: Schweizerischer Bankverein Basel, 1983.
- [1]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 94: World and Swiss Coins and Medals, SINCONA Bullion Auction, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2024.
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