Neuchatel 1807 batzen KM-65
This specimen was lot 3397 in Sincona sale 91 (Zürich, May 2024), where it sold for 90 CHF (about US$119 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SCHWEIZ Neuenburg/Neuchâtel, Alexandre Berthier, Prince de Neuchâtel, 1806-1814. Batzen 1807, Neuchâtel. Variante mit I Batz. Grosses Wappen, darunter N mit kleiner Krone darüber. Rv. Wert in einem Kranz aus Lorbeer- und Eichenlaubzweig. Unten die Jahreszahl. Froidevaux V437. D.T. 254b, HMZ 2-722b. Gutes vorzüglich. (Switzerland, principality of Neuchatel, prince Alexander Berthier, 1806-14, batzen of 1807, Neuchatel mint, variety with "I BATZ." Obverse: large arms, "N" with small crown above; reverse: value in oak and laurel wreath, date below. Good extremely fine.)"
The batzen was struck in two varieties in 1807: KM 65 ("I BATZ", shown here) struck 1807-08, and KM 69 ("UN BATZ") struck 1806-10. 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: 3.22 g, billon, 24.5 mm diameter, this specimen 3.09 g.
Catalog reference: KM 65, D.T. 251, HMZ 2-719a, Froidevaux V421.
- 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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