Sitten (1540) dicken
This specimen was lot 4574 in Sincona sale 95 (Zürich, October 2024), where it sold for 12,000 CHF (about US$16,632 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SCHWEIZ Sitten, Bistum, Adrian I. von Riedmatten, 1529-1548. Dicken o. J. (um 1540), Sitten. Familienwappen, oben verziert mit Mitra, Krummstab und Schwert. Rv. Thronender hl. Theodul von vorne mit Krummstab und Schwert. Unten rechts eine Glocke. Sehr selten. Gutes sehr schön. (Switzerland, bishopric of Sitten (Sion), Adrien I of Riedmatten, 1529-48, undated dicken, circa 1540. Obverse: family arms with miter, crozier and sword; reverse: St. Theodul seated facing with crozier and sword, a bell to the right. Very rare, Good 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. Sitten was ruled by five Adriens of the Riedmatten family: Adrien I (1529-45), Adrien II (1604-13), Adrien III (1640), Adrien IV (1646-72) and Adrien V (1672-1701). This type was struck undated and was one third thaler.
Record mintage: unknown.
Specification: 9.55 g, silver, 30 mm diameter, this specimen 9.45 g.
Catalog reference: Palézieux 115, HMZ 2-1032a.
- 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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