Sitten 1597 1/2 batzen
This specimen was lot 4548 in SINCONA Auction 98 (Zürich, May 2025), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted,
"SCHWEIZ Wallis/Valais, Sitten, Bistum, Hildebrand I. von Riedmatten, 1565-1604. Gros (Halbbatzen) 1597, Sitten. Selten. Schön-sehr schön. (Switzerland, canton of Valais, Hildebrand I. von Riedmatten, 1565-1604, gros or half batzen of 1597, Sitten mint. 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. The Riedmatten family contributed six bishops of Sion and controlled the diocese 1529-45, 1565-1613, 1640-1701. This half batzen was struck 1572, 1574, 1594-97, 1604 and undated.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specifications: 1.5 g, billon, 23 mm diameter, this specimen 1.63 g.
Catalog reference: Palézieux 177, HMZ 2-1047g.
- 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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