Bern 1614 1/2 batzen
This specimen was lot 2614 in Sincona sale 47 (Zürich, May 2018), where it sold for 700 CHF (about US$840 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SWITZERLAND, Bern, Stadt und Kanton, Halbbatzen 1614. Sehr selten in dieser Erhaltung. Gutes vorzüglich. (city and canton of Bern, half batzen of 1614. Very rare in this condition, Good extremely fine.)"
In the predecimal system of Switzerland, four kreuzer = one batzen and 24 batzen = one gulden, making this type of 1614 equal to 1/72 thaler. It is the only issue of this denomination listed for this locale in the seventeenth century. Numista states this type was also struck in 1590 and 1594.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 1.31 g, billon, 22 mm diameter, this specimen 1.46 g.
Catalog reference: D.T. 1151, HMZ 2-198a, KM 9.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- 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, Auction 47, World Coins and Medals, Coins and Medals from Switzerland, Zürich: Sincona AG, 2018.
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