Sitten (1496-97) dicken
This specimen was lot 4506 in Sincona sale 83 (Zürich, May 2023), where it sold for 2,500 CHF (about US$3,346 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted, "Sitten, Bistum, Nikolaus Schiner (Vikar), 1496-1497. Dicken o. J., Sitten. Wappen vor Distelkreuz. NICO SDNP VICA' EL' SE. Rv. Stehender Hl. Theodul mit Mitra und Nimbus, in der Rechten ein Schwert, in der Linken den Bischofstab, schaut auf den Teufel mit Glocke hinab. °° S ° THEODO L' EPS ° SEDVN' . Sehr selten. Fast sehr schön. Minimaler Randfehler (bishopric of Sitten, vicar Nicholas Schiner, 1496-97, undated dicken, Sitten mint. Obverse: arms over a floriate cross; reverse: St. Theodul in miter and halo with bishop's staff and sword, threatens an imp. Very rare, About very fine, Minimal edge flaw). Exemplar aus SINCONA AG, Zürich, Auktion 44 (Slg. R. Kunzmann, 1. Teil), Lot 5953." Altho the Swiss cantons had won de facto independence from the Empire by the late fifteenth century, the fact was not officially recognized until 1648, when the confederation left the empire by the treaties of Westphalia which ended the Thirty Years War. The dicken seems to be worth two groschen or one-third of a gulden.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen 9.47 g.
Catalog reference: Palézieux 11, HMZ 2-1013a.
- Richter, Juerg, 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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