Neuchatel 1631 dicken
This specimen was lot 1686 in Sincona sale 76 (Zürich, May 2022), where it sold for 30,000 CHF (about US$36,414 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SWITZERLAND | Neuenburg/Neuchâtel | Fürsten von Neuchâtel. Heinrich II. von Orléans-Longueville, 1595-1663. Dicken 1631, Neuchâtel. HEN · II · D : G COM · NEOCOMENSIS (Lilie) Brustbild nach rechts mit Oberlippen- und Kinnbart. Rv. Umschrift beginnt bei 8 Uhr. OCVLI · DOMI · SVP · IVSTO \ 16 - 31 im Abschnitt unter dem zweifeldigen Wappenschild, oben Krone. Von grösster Seltenheit. Vermutlich das einzige Exemplar im Handel. Vorzüglich. NGC AU55. Feine Patina. (Switzerland, canton of Neuchâtel, Henry II of Orleans-Longueville, 1595-1663, dicken of 1631, Neuchatel mint. Obverse: Bearded and mustached bust right; reverse: legned begins at 8 o'clock, date below crowned arms. Of the highest rarity. Probably the only known specimen in the trade, Extremely fine, Nicely toned.)"
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. A dicken varied between a quarter thaler and a third thaler. The SCWC lists two testons for 1631 but provides a photo only for KM 16.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen 8.11 g.
Catalog reference: KM 16 or 17, Froidevaux V49. D.T. 1636, HMZ 2-684c.
- 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 76, The Annemarie and Gerd Köhlmoos Collection, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2022.
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