Neuchatel (16)29 kreuzer KM-15
This specimen was lot 4354 in Sincona sale 95 (Zürich, October 2024), where it sold for 350 CHF (about US$485 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SCHWEIZ Neuenburg/Neuchâtel, Fürsten von Neuchâtel, Heinrich II. von Orléans-Longueville, 1595-1663. Kreuzer 1629, Neuchâtel. Variante mit zweifeldigem Wappen. Sehr selten. Sehr schön-vorzüglich. (Switzerland, principality of Neuchâtel, Henry II of Orléans-Longueville, 1595-1663, kreuzer of 1629, Neuchâtel mint. Very rare, Very Fine-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. The kreuzer was struck in two styles in 1619: KM 11, with quartered arms and obverse legend "H · AV · PR[inceps] · SV · NOVICAS", and KM 15, with impaled arms and obverse legend "H · D · G · COM[es] · SV · NOVICA". The reverse motto, "OCVLI ᛭ DO[MINUS] ᛭ SVP[ER] ᛭ IVSTOS ⚜", translates as The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous (Psalms 34:15). One écu = 84 kreuzer.
Record mintage: unknown.
Specification: 1.0 g, billon, 19 mm diameter, this specimen 1.41 g.
Catalog reference: KM 6, Froidevaux V198, D.T. 1645 var. (this date missing), HMZ 2-688s.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- 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.
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