Sitten 1596 kreuzer
This specimen was lot 4547 in SINCONA Auction 98 (Zürich, May 2025), where it sold for 100 CHF (about US$145 including buyers' fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SCHWEIZ Wallis/Valais, Sitten, Bistum, Hildebrand I. von Riedmatten, 1565-1604. Kreuzer 1596, Sitten. Bischofsinsignien und Schwert zwischen zwei Sternchen im Feld, unten ein Kleeblatt. Rv. Kreuz, die Jahreszahl am Ende der Umschrift. Fast sehr schön. Kleiner Randfehler. Exemplar der Slg. Zuberbühler, Auktion 16, Zürich, Oktober 2013, aus Los 6200. (Switzerland, canton of Valais, Hildebrand I. von Riedmatten, 1565-1604, kreuzer of 1596, Sitten mint. Obverse: Bishop's insignia and sword between two stars in the field, a trefoil below. A cross on the reverse, the date at the end of the inscription. About Very Fine, Minor edge flaw.)"
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. The Riedmatten family contributed six bishops of Sion and controlled the diocese 1529-45, 1565-1613, 1640-1701. This kreuzer was struck 1593-97 and 1603.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specifications: 1.25 g, billon, 19 mm diameter, this specimen 1.08 g.
Catalog reference: Palézieux 166 var, HMZ 2-1048m.
- 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, Jurg, SINCONA Auction 98: The Konrad Bürki Collection - Part 3 (Swiss Cantonal Coins), Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2025.
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