Sitten 1594 kreuzer
This specimen was lot 4582 in Sincona sale 95 (Zürich, October 2024), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted,
"SCHWEIZ Sitten, Bistum, Hildebrand I. von Riedmatten, 1565-1604. Kreuzer 1594, Sitten. Die 4 der Jahreszahl richtig geschrieben. Selten. Schön-sehr schön. (Switzerland, bishopric of Sitten (Sion), Hildebrand of Riedmatten, 1565-1604, kreuzer of 1594, Sitten mint. The 4 of the date is oriented correctly. Rare, Fine-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 1593-97 and 1603 and was 1/72 of a thaler. The 1594 also comes with a reversed "4".
Record mintage: unknown.
Specification: 1.25 g, billon, 19 mm diameter, this specimen 1.08 g.
Catalog reference: Palézieux 163, HMZ 2-1048k.
- 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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