Sitten (15)40 1/2 dicken

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Sincona sale 98, lot 4539

This specimen was lot 4539 in SINCONA Auction 98 (Zürich, May 2025), where it sold for 5,250 CHF (about US$7,615 including buyers' fees). The catalog description[1] noted,

"SCHWEIZ Wallis/Valais, Sitten, Bistum, Adrian I. von Riedmatten, 1529-1548. Halbdicken 1540, Sitten. Eingebuchtetes Wappen zwischen je einem Röschen. Mindere Jahreszahl (15)40 am Ende der Vorderseitenumschrift. Rv. Der heilige Theodul mit Nimbus und Mitra nach links gewandt, in der Rechten das Schwert, in der Linken den geschulterten Krummstab. Sehr selten. Sehr schön. (Switzerland, canton of Valais, Adrian I. von Riedmatten, 1529-48, half dicken of 1540, Sitten mint. Obverse: Indented coat of arms between two clover leaves, the abbreviated date above. The legend ends with SEDVNE. Reverse: nimbate and mitered Saint Theodore, facing left, holding a sword in his right hand and a shouldered crosier in his left. Very rare, Very Fine.)"

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, 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. The Riedmatten family contributed six bishops of Sion and controlled the diocese 1529-45, 1565-1613, 1640-1701. This type is listed for 1540-48. Half a dicken was twelve kreuzer or one sixth thaler.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specifications: 4.75 g, silver, 28 mm diameter, this specimen 4.53 g.

Catalog reference: Palézieux 110, HMZ 2-1033a.

Sources:

  • 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, Jurg, SINCONA Auction 97: World and Swiss Coins and Medals, SINCONA Bullion Auction, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2025.
  • [2]Richter, Jurg, SINCONA Auction 98: The Konrad Bürki Collection - Part 3 (Swiss Cantonal Coins), Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2025.

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