Neuchatel (1589) kreuzer
This specimen was lot 3362 in Sincona Auction 105 (Zürich, May 2026), where it sold for 675 CHF (about US$1,029 including buyers' fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SCHWEIZ Neuenburg/Neuchâtel, Fürsten von Neuchâtel Heinrich I. 1573-1595. Kreuzer o. J. (1589), Neuchâtel. Sehr selten. Fast vorzüglich. (Switzerland, Neuchâtel, prince Henry I, 1573-95, undated kreuzer, circa 1589, Neuchâtel mint. Very rare, About Extremely Fine.)"
While the principality of Neuchâtel was long associated with the Swiss Confederation, it was under seigneurial rule rather than oligarchic rule as in the other cantons. French aristocrats ruled until Marie de Nemours's death in 1707, then under Prussian rule 1707-1806. This kreuzer was struck in 1589 in numerous varieties, including HMZ 2-680b with a partial date.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 0.99-1.12 g, billon, this specimen 1.27 g.
Catalog reference: Froidevaux V8, HMZ 2-680a.
- 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, Michael Hardmeier, Michael Otto, Arne Kirsch, Ruedi Kunsmann and Timur Demirai, SINCONA Auction 105: The Konrad Bürki Collection of Swiss Cantonal Coins - Part 5, Zurich: SINCONA AG, 2026.
Links to: