Helvetian Republic 1802-B batzen
The first specimen was lot 3814 in Sincona sale 64 (Zürich, June 2020), where it sold for 650 CHF (about US$815 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SWITZERLAND | Helvetische Republik | misc, Batzen 1802 B, Bern. Sehr selten in dieser Erhaltung. FDC. (Helvetic Republic, batzen of 1802, Bern mint. Very rare in this condition, Uncirculated.)"
The second specimen was lot 5721 in Sincona Auction 102 (Zürich, October 2025), where it sold for 525 CHF (about US$791 including buyers' fees). The catalog description[2] noted,
"SCHWEIZ. Helvetische Republik. Batzen 1802 B, Bern. Selten in dieser Erhaltung. Kleiner Schrötlingsfehler. Fast FDC. (Switzerland, Helvetic Republic, batzen of 1802, Bern mint. Rare in this condition, Minor flan flaw, About Mint State.)"
This type was struck 1799-1803. The Helvetian Republic was a puppet state set up by the French in 1798 on the remnants of the old Swiss Confederation. It collapsed in 1803 under religious and class conflict and Napoleon reorganized it as the Swiss confederation, restoring the liberties of the old cantons. Most of its issues are rare and expensive.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: billon, the first specimen 2.57 g, the second specimen 2.55 g.
Catalog reference: KM A8, D.T. 10c, HMZ 2-1189b, the second specimen D.T. 10g, HMZ 2-1189h.
- [1]Richter, Jürg, Sincona sale 64: Swiss Coins and Medals, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2020.
- Divo, Jean-Paul, and Edwin Tobler, Die Münzen der Schweiz, im 19. und 20. Jahrhundert, Zürich: Bank Leu & Co AG, 1969.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- 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.
- [2]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 102: The Konrad Bürki Collection - Part 4 (Swiss Cantonal Coins), Zurich: SINCONA AG, 2025.
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