Neuchatel 1807 1/2 batzen KM-68
This specimen was lot 3399 in Sincona sale 91 (Zürich, May 2024), where it sold for 110 CHF (about US$145 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SCHWEIZ Neuenburg/Neuchâtel, Alexandre Berthier, Prince de Neuchâtel, 1806-1814. Halbbatzen 1807, Neuchâtel. Variante mit ½ Batz. Vorzüglich. (Switzerland, principality of Neuchatel, prince Alexander Berthier, 1806-14, half batzen of 1807, Neuchatel mint, with "½ BATZ". Extremely fine.)"
The half batzen was struck in two varieties in 1807: KM 67 ("DEMI BATZ") struck 1807 only, and KM 68 ("½ BATZ", shown here) struck 1807-09. Alexandre Berthier (1753-1815) served as chief of staff to Napoleon Bonaparte from his first Italian campaign in 1796 until his first abdication in 1814. Berthier never visited Neuchâtel, where he was represented by a governor, although he was well acquainted with its affairs.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: billon, this specimen 1.81 g.
Catalog reference: KM 68, Froidevaux V450, D.T. 256a, HMZ 2-723a.
- Divo, Jean-Paul, and Edwin Tobler, Die Münzen der Schweiz, im 19. und 20. Jahrhundert, Zürich: Bank Leu & Co AG, 1969.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- 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 91, The Konrad Bürki Collection - Part 1 (Swiss Cantonal Coins), Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2024.
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