Lausanne (1462-66) denier

Sincona sale 95, lot 4559

This specimen was lot 4559 in Sincona sale 95 (Zürich, October 2024), where it sold for 80 CHF (about US$111 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[1] noted,

"SCHWEIZ Lausanne, Bistum, Guillaume de Varax, 1462-1466. Denier o. J., Lausanne. Grosses Wappen, darüber Bischofsstab. Rv. Blumenkreuz. Fast vorzüglich. Kleine Randfehler. (Switzerland, bishopric of Lausanne, William of Varax, 1462-66, undated denier, Lausanne mint. Obverse: large arms over bishop's staff; reverse: floriate cross. About Extremely Fine, Minor edge flaws.)"

The bishop of Lausanne ruled his diocese from the late thirteenth century until the 1530's when it went over to the Reformation. The Sovereign Council of Bern secularized the bishopric in 1536 and the bishop fled. It is now part of the canton of Vaud.

Record mintage: unknown.

Specification: 0.87 g, billon, 16 mm diameter, this specimen 0.82 g.

Catalog reference: Dolivo (SMK II) 58, HMZ 1-511a.

Sources:

• 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.

Link to:

• Basel (1452-78) goldgulden Fr-9
• Lausanne (1517-36) denier, Sebastiano di Monfalcone
• Coins and currency dated 1462