Sitten 1624 1/2 batzen
This specimen was lot 4554 in SINCONA Auction 98 (Zürich, May 2025), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted,
"SCHWEIZ Wallis/Valais, Sitten, Bistum, Hildebrand Jost, 1613-1638. Halbbatzen 1624, Sitten. Sehr schön. (Switzerland, canton of Valais, Hildebrand Jost, 1613-38, half batzen of 1624, Sitten mint. 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. This type is listed for 1623-27. Half a batzen was two kreuzer or 1/36 of a thaler.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specifications: 1.24 g, billon, 21 mm diameter, this specimen 1.50 g.
Catalog reference: KM 9, D.T. 1619b, HMZ 2-1054c.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- 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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