Sitten 1501 guldiner Dav-8789
The first specimen was lot 52 in Sincona sale 5 (Zürich, May 2012), where it sold for 12,500 CHF (about US$15,381 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SCHWEIZ, Wallis Matthäus Schiner (1499-1522). Guldiner 1501. Av. Im Zentrum in einem Schriftkreis das Schinerwappen mit Krummstab, Mitra und Schwert. Im Aussenkreis die 16 Wappenschilde der Zehnten von Wallis. Rv. Der heilige Theodul im Bischofsornat und mit Schwert in der linken Hand sitzt von vorn auf einem gotischen Bischofsthron. Rechts vom Thron befindet sich ein kleiner Teufel mit Glocke. Selten. Gutes sehr schön. (Switzerland, canton of Valais, guldiner of 1501. Obverse: Legend around, mitred arms with bishop's staff and sword; reverse: St. Theodore in bishop's robe, sword and staff in hand, seated on a Gothic bishop's throne, while an imp rings a bell. Rare, good very fine.)"
The second specimen was lot 5294 in Sincona sale 80 (Zürich, October 2022), where it sold for 17,000 CHF (about US$20,375 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[2] noted,
"SWITZERLAND | Wallis/Valais | Sitten, Bistum, Matthäus Schiner, 1499-1522. Guldiner 1501, Sitten. Mitriertes Familienwappen im Wappenkreis. Rv. Der heilige Theodul im Bischofsornat thronend von vorn. Links der Teufel. Sehr selten. Gutes sehr schön. (bishopric of Sitten, Matthais Schiner, 1499-1522, guldiner of 1501, Sitten mint. Obverse: family arms in circle; reverse: St. Theodul enthroned, facing, devil to left. Very rare, Good very fine.)"
The third specimen was lot 4570 in Sincona sale 95 (Zürich, October 2024), where it sold for 34,000 CHF (about US$47,124 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[3] noted,
"SCHWEIZ Sitten, Bistum, Matthäus Schiner, 1499-1522. Guldiner 1501, Sitten. Mitriertes Familienwappen, umgeben vom Bischofsnamen, eingefasst vom Wappenkreis mit 17 Schildern. Rv. Der heilige Theodul im Bischofsornat thronend von vorn. Links der Teufel mit Glocke. Sehr selten. Sehr schön-vorzüglich. Exemplar der Auktion SINCONA 18, Zürich, Mai 2014, Los 3641. (Switzerland, bishopric of Sitten (Sion), Matthias Schiner, 1499-1522, guldiner of 1501, Sitten mint. Obverse: Mitered family arms, surrounded by the bishop's name, framed by a circle of 17 shields. Reverse: Saint Theodul in bishop's robes enthroned facing front. Left, the devil with a bell. Very rare, 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.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, the first specimen is 29,65 g; the second specimen is 29.37 g, the third specimen is 29.57 g.
Catalog reference: Pal. 78, HMZ 2-1020a, Dav-8789.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns, 1484-1600, Frankfurt: Numismatischer Verlag, 1977.
- 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]Numismatic Coins, Medals, Banknotes & Books: Auction 6, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2012.
- [2]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 80, World Coins and Medals, SINCONA Bullion Auction, World Banknotes, Coins and Medals from Switzerland, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2022.
- [3]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 95: The Konrad Bürki Collection - Part 2 (Swiss Cantonal Coins), Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2024.
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