Sitten (1565-83) kreuzer
This specimen was lot 5038 in Sincona sale 83 (Zürich, May 2023), where it sold for 400 CHF (about US$535 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted, "SWITZERLAND Wallis/Valais, Hildebrand I. von Riedmatten, 1565-1604. Kreuzer o. J. (1565-1604), Sitten. Sehr selten in dieser Erhaltung. Sehr schön-vorzüglich (Switzerland, canton of Valais, Hildebrand I. von Riedmatten, 1565-1604, undated kreuzer, Sitten mint. Very rare in this condition, Very fine-extremely 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. Four kreuzer made a batzen. The Riedmatten family contributed six bishops of Sion and controlled the diocese 1529-45, 1565-1613, 1640-1701. The prince-bishopric was secularized and added to the canton of Valais in 1807. As this kreuzer is known dated 1583, we will presume this coin was issued before that.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: billon or silver, this specimen 1.66 g.
Catalog reference: Palézieux 149, HMZ 2-1048a.
- 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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