Neuchatel 1809 1/2 batzen
This specimen was lot 4911 in Sincona sale 83 (Zürich, May 2023), where it sold for 450 CHF (about US$602 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted, "SWITZERLAND Neuenburg/Neuchâtel, Alexandre Berthier, Prince de Neuchâtel, 1806-1814. Halbbatzen 1809, Neuchâtel. Selten in dieser Erhaltung. FDC (Rare in this condition, Uncirculated)." After being temporarily unified under Napoleon's Helvetic Republic, the cantons went their separate ways after the Congress of Vienna and issued a torrent of low value coins. Not until 1850 would a unified confederation mint her own coins and terminate the local issues. This type was struck 1807-09.
Wikipedia comments,
"Louis-Alexandre Berthier (20 November 1753 – 1 June 1815), Prince of Neuchâtel and Valangin, Prince of Wagram, was a French Marshal of the Empire who served during the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars. He was twice Minister of War of France and served as chief of staff to Napoleon Bonaparte.... When Napoleon deposed King Frederick William III of Prussia from the principality of Neuchâtel, Berthier was appointed its ruler. This lasted until 1814 and also brought him the title of sovereign prince in 1806."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: billon, this specimen 1.79 g.
Catalog reference: KM 68.1, Froidevaux V456, D.T. 256b, HMZ 2-723e.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Divo, Jean-Paul, and Edwin Tobler, Die Münzen der Schweiz, im 19. und 20. Jahrhundert, Zürich: Bank Leu & Co AG, 1969.
- 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 83, World and Swiss Coins and Medals, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2023.
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