Neuchatel 1814 2 francs
This specimen was lot 4912 in Sincona sale 83 (Zürich, May 2023), where it sold for 1,200 CHF (about US$1,606 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted, "SWITZERLAND Neuenburg/Neuchâtel, Alexandre Berthier, Prince de Neuchâtel, 1806-1814. 2 Francs 1814, Neuchâtel. Die 4 in der Jahreszahl über eine 3 geschnitten. Randschrift: / POIDS DIX / GRAMMES /[Biene] TITRE / NEUF DIX/IEMMES [2 Bienen sich anschauend]. Stempelschneidersignatur DROZ F. Sehr selten. Gutes vorzüglich. Leicht gereinigt (principality of Neuchatel, Alexandre Berthier, 1806-14, two francs of 1814, Neuchatel mint, 1814/3 overdate. Edge lettered "TEN GRAMS, NINE TENTHS FINE". Dies are signed DROZ F. Very rare, Good extremely fine, Slightly cleaned)." 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 issue, a pattern, was accompanied by a silver five francs.
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: 10 g, 0.900 fine silver, lettered edge, this specimen 10.01 g.
Catalog reference: KM Pn15, Froidevaux V426. D.T. 253, HMZ 2-721a.
- 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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