Sitten (1499-1522) 1/2 dicken
This specimen was lot 4571 in Sincona sale 95 (Zürich, October 2024), where it sold for 6,250 CHF (about US$8,663 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SCHWEIZ Sitten, Bistum, Matthäus Schiner, 1499-1522. Halbdicken o. J., Sitten. (Six-Gros). Brustbild des Bischofs mit Tonsur nach rechts. Rv. In einer Bogeneinfassung in drei Linien SOLI D / EO GLO / RIA. Sehr selten in dieser Erhaltung. Vorzüglich. Hübsche Patina. Kl. Schrötlingsriss am Rand. Exemplar der Auktion Leu 84, Zürich, Oktober 2002, Los 1652. (Switzerland, bishopric of Sitten (Sion), undated half dicken, Sitten mint. Obverse: tonsured bust of the bishop right; reverse: motto in three lines. Very rare in this condition, Extremely Fine, Attractively toned. Small flan crack.)"
The bishopric of Sitten (Sion in French) encompassed most of what is now the canton of Valais. The bishops involved themselves in the petty feuds and struggles of the day, bishop Mattias going so far as to participate in the battle of Marignano (1515). They successfully resisted the Reformation but were forced to cede their secular power in 1630. Coinage continued into the eighteenth century. Half a dicken was one sixth of a thaler.
Record mintage: unknown.
Specification: 5.7 g, silver, 28 mm diameter, this specimen 5.86 g.
Catalog reference: Palézieux 49var, HMZ 2-1022a.
- 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 95: The Konrad Bürki Collection - Part 2 (Swiss Cantonal Coins), Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2024.
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