Sitten 1710 batzen
This specimen was lot 4564 in SINCONA Auction 98 (Zürich, May 2025), where it sold for 1,400 CHF (about US$2,031 including buyers' fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SCHWEIZ Wallis/Valais, Sitten, Bistum, Franz Joseph Supersaxo, 1701-1734. Batzen 1710, Sitten. Selten in dieser Erhaltung. Fast FDC. Exemplar der Auktion SINCONA 23, Zürich, Mai 2015, Los 3785. (Switzerland, canton of Valais, Francis Joseph Supersaxo, 1701-34, batzen of 1710, Sitten mint. Rare in this condition, About Mint State.)"
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 1708-10 and 1721-22 and was accompanied by a half batzen and a twenty kreuzer. A batzen was four kreuzer or 2/45 of a thaler.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specifications: 2.55 g, billon, 25 mm diameter, this specimen 2.68 g.
Catalog reference: KM 27, D.T. 970c, HMZ 2-1065c.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- 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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