Sitten 1545 1/2 dicken
This specimen was lot 4576 in Sincona sale 95 (Zürich, October 2024), where it sold for 4,250 CHF (about US$5,891 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SCHWEIZ Sitten, Bistum, Adrian I. von Riedmatten, 1529-1548. Halbdicken 1545, Sitten. Familienwappen in geschweiftem Schild, darüber die Jahreszahl, seitlich je ein kl. Kleeblatt. Rv. Hl. Theodul mit Schwert und Krummstab nach links gewandt. Sehr selten. Sehr schön. Exemplar der Slg. Kunzmann, Auktion SINCONA 44, Zürich, Oktober 2019, Los 3285. (Switzerland, bishopric of Sitten (Sion), Adrien I of Riedmatten, 1529-48, half dicken of 1545, Sitten mint. Obverse: family arms in indented shield, date above; reverse: St. Theodul with sword and crozier facing slightly 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. 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 1540-48 and was one-sixth thaler.
Record mintage: unknown.
Specification: 4.75 g, silver, 28 mm diameter, this specimen 4.60 g.
Catalog reference: Palézieux 113, HMZ 2-1033d.
- 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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