Basel 1785-H thaler Dav-1755
The first specimen was lot 35163 in Heritage sale 3035 (Long Beach, September 2014), where it sold for $1,175. The catalog description[1] noted, "Basel. Canton Taler 1785-H AU58 PCGS. A wonderful example of City coinage featuring the view of basel on and a menacing dragon. Lovely silvery-gray toning with darkened patina touching the devices." The second specimen was lot 5043 in Sincona sale 35 (Zürich, October 2016), where it did not sell. The catalog description[2] noted,
"Basel | Stadt, Taler 1785. Vorzüglich-FDC. Prachtvolle Erhaltung. (city of Basel, thaler of 1785. Extremely fine-uncirculated, Magnificent condition.)"
The mythical creature on the reverse is a basilisk. 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, of which this type is among the scarcer. It was accompanied by a half thaler.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, the second specimen 25.16 g.
Catalog reference: Winterstein (Taler) 116. D.T. 747, HMZ 2-99h, KM 179, Dav-1755.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns, 1700-1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964.
- 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.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, and Warren Tucker, Heritage Signature Auction 3035, World and Ancient Coins, featuring the FoxLair Collection and the Law Collection, Dallas: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2014.
- [2]Jürg Richter, Schweizer Münzen und Medaillen vom Mittelalter bis in die Neuzeit, Auktion 35, Zürich: Sincona AG, 2016.
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