Bern 1620 1/2 dicken
The first specimen was lot 4112 in Sincona sale 95 (Zürich, October 2024), where it sold for 2,200 CHF (about US$3,049 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SCHWEIZ Bern, Stadt und Kanton, Halbdicken 1620, Bern. Variante mit Jahreszahl im Schriftkreis. Äusserst seltene Erhaltung. Gutes vorzüglich. (Switzerland, canton of Bern, half dicken of 1620, Bern mint, variety with date in legend. Extremely rare condition, About Uncirculated.)"
The second specimen was lot 4094 in SINCONA Auction 98 (Zürich, May 2025), where it sold for 3,750 CHF (about US$5,440 including buyers' fees). The catalog description[2] noted,
"SCHWEIZ Bern, Stadt und Kanton, Halbdicken 1620, Bern. Variante mit Jahreszahl zwischen den Kreuzschenkeln. Sehr selten. Gutes sehr schön. Kleine Kratzer. (Switzerland, city and canton of Bern, half dicken of 1620, Bern mint. Variant with the date between the cross legs instead of the obverse legend. Very rare, Good Very Fine, Small scratches.)"
The half dicken was twelve kreuzer (KM 18) or three batzen. The reverse legend, "+BERCHT·DVX·ZERIN FVNDA", likely refers to Berthold V, last duke of Zähringen (r. 1186-1218).
Record mintage: unknown.
Specification: 4.76 g, silver, the first specimen 4.70 g, the second specimen 4.87 g.
Catalog reference: KM 19, D.T. 1142, HMZ 2-195a. The second specimen Lohner 422. D.T. 1141, HMZ 2-195c.
- 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, SINCONA Auction 95: The Konrad Bürki Collection - Part 2 (Swiss Cantonal Coins), Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2024.
- [2]Richter, Jurg, SINCONA Auction 98: The Konrad Bürki Collection - Part 3 (Swiss Cantonal Coins), Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2025.
Link to:
- 1614 half batzen
- 1617 half kreuzer (vierer)
- 1618 dicken
- 1619 batzen
- Fribourg 1620 12 kreuzer
- Zug 1620 1/2 dicken
- Zurich 1620 1/2 dicken
- 1620 batzen
- 1620 dicken, eagle on reverse = 24 kreuzer
- 1620 dicken, cross on reverse
- 1621 half dicken (12 kreuzer)
- 1621 dicken, eagle on reverse
- Coins and currency dated 1620