Neuchatel 1622 batzen
This specimen was lot 4314 in SINCONA Auction 98 (Zürich, May 2025), where it sold for 180 CHF (about US$261 including buyers' fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SCHWEIZ Heinrich II. von Orléans-Longueville, 1595-1663. Batzen 1622, Neuchâtel. Sehr schön. (Switzerland, principality of Neuchâtel, Henry II, 1595-1623, batzen of 1622, Neuchâtel mint. Very Fine.)"
While the principality of Neuchâtel was long associated with the Swiss Confederation, it was under monarchical 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, then part of Napoleon's empire, then Prussian again 1815-57, whereupon it was merged completely into Switzerland. This batzen or four kreuzer was struck in this style 1622 only. Numista shows 21 varieties, suggesting to us that this coin was struck for several years with a frozen date. The reverse motto, "OCVLI : DO[MINUS] : SVPER : IVSTOS ⚜", translates as The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous (Psalms 34:15). One écu = 84 kreuzer.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specifications: 2.1 g, billon, 24 mm diameter, this specimen 2.73 g.
Catalog reference: KM 13, Froidevaux V94 (plate coin). D.T. 1640, HMZ 2-686f.
- 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, Jurg, SINCONA Auction 98: The Konrad Bürki Collection - Part 3 (Swiss Cantonal Coins), Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2025.
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