Gruyere 1552 groschen
This specimen was lot 3221 in SINCONA Auction 97 (Zürich, May 2025), where it sold for 6,000 CHF (about US$8,703 including buyers' fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SCHWEIZ Freiburg/Fribourg, Greyerz, Grafschaft Michael, 1539-1576, Michael, 1539-1576. Groschen (Gros) 1552, Greyerz. Stadtwappen von Gruyère unter der Jahreszahl. Rv. Ankerkreuz, Äusserst selten. Schön-sehr schön. Gewellt. (Switzerland, Fribourg, county of Gruyère, Michael, 1539-76, groschen or gros of 1552, Greyerz mint. Obverse: city arms of Gruyère under the date; reverse: anchor cross. Extremely rare, Fine-Very Fine, Wavy flan.)"
Wikipedia comments, "Nineteen counts are accounted for in the period between the 11th and 16th centuries. The last of them, Michel, had been in financial trouble almost all his life only to end in bankruptcy in 1554. His creditors the cantons of Fribourg and Bern shared his earldom between them."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specifications: 1.56 g, silver, this specimen 1.58 g.
Catalog reference: HMZ 2-289a.
- 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, Jurg, SINCONA Auction 97: World and Swiss Coins and Medals, SINCONA Bullion Auction, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2025.
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