Geneva 1757 pistole Fr-262
This specimen was lot 3122 in Sincona sale 94 (Zürich, October 2024), where it sold for 1,500 CHF (about US$2,079 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SCHWEIZ Genf/Genève, Stadt und Kanton, Pistole 1757 (über 55), Genf. Sehr schön-vorzüglich. Fassungsspuren. (Switzerland, canton of Geneva, pistole of 1757, Geneva mint, 1757/55 overdate. Very Fine-Extremely Fine, Traces of mounting.)"
Whereas most of the Swiss cantons struck ducats when they chose to issue gold coins, the canton of Geneva issued pistoles 1722-24, 1752-72. The pistole was the common name for the Spanish two escudos (6.77 g) or the French Louis d'or (8.14 g) but this coin corresponds to neither, being very close to a double ducat. The canton of Neuchâtel is also noted as having issued a (very rare) pistole. We don't know why this example's weight is so far below the standard given in the SCWC.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 7.64 g, 0.900 fine gold, this specimen 5.66 g.
Catalog reference: KM 77, D.T. 1005e, HMZ 2-338e, Fr-262.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- 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]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 94: World and Swiss Coins and Medals, SINCONA Bullion Auction, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2024.
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