Neuchatel 1791 1/2 batzen
This specimen was lot 4377 in Sincona sale 95 (Zürich, October 2024), where it sold for 120 CHF (about US$166 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SCHWEIZ Neuenburg/Neuchâtel, Könige von Preussen, Friedrich Wilhelm II. 1786-1797. Halbbatzen 1791, Neuchâtel. Gutes vorzüglich. Exemplar der Auktion Münzen & Medaillen AG 85, Basel, April 1997, aus Los 734. (Switzerland, principality of Neuchâtel, half batzen of 1791, Neuchâtel mint. About Uncirculated.)"
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 half batzen or two kreuzer was struck 1788-94. The 1788 is a rare date and was long assumed to be a pattern. The reverse motto, "᛭ SUUM ᛭ 1791 ᛭ CUIQUE ᛭", translates as, "To each his own". One thaler = 160 kreuzer.
Record mintage: unknown.
Specification: 1.7 g, silver, 21 mm diameter, this specimen 1.45 g.
Catalog reference: KM 47, Froidevaux V355, D.T. 1000c, HMZ 2-711d.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- 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: