Sitten 1540 1/2 batzen
This specimen was lot 4575 in Sincona sale 95 (Zürich, October 2024), where it sold for 1,500 CHF (about US$2,079 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SCHWEIZ Sitten, Bistum, Adrian I. von Riedmatten, 1529-1548. Gros (Halbbatzen) 1540, Sitten. Familienwappen ohne Schild. Die Jahreszahl auf beiden Münzenseiten. Die 4 von 1540 der Vorderseite spiegelverkehrt. Sehr selten. Sehr schön. Schrötlingsriss. Exemplar der Slg. Zuberbühler, Auktion SINCONA 16, Zürich, Oktober 2013, Los 6191. (Switzerland, bishopric of Sitten (Sion), Adrien I of Riedmatten, 1529-48, half batzen of 1540, Sitten mint. Obverse: family badge without shield divides the date, the "4" reversed. Very rare, Very Fine, 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, 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 1536-40 and undated.
Record mintage: unknown.
Specification: 1.97 g, billon, 20 mm diameter, this specimen 1.87 g.
Catalog reference: Palézieux 109, HMZ 2-1034e.
- 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.
Link to: