Sitten 1722 batzen
This specimen was lot 6200 in Sincona sale 81 (Zürich, October 2022), where it sold for 575 CHF (about US$689 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted, "SWITZERLAND | Wallis/Valais | Sitten, Bistum, Franz Joseph Supersaxo, 1701-1734. Batzen 1722, Sitten. Very rare in this condition. Extremely fine-uncirculated." 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 was issued 1708-10, 1721-22 along with a half batzen and a kreuzer and is fairly expensive.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: billon, this specimen 2.26 g.
Catalog reference: KM 27, D.T. 970e, HMZ 2-1065e.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- Richter, Juerg, 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 81, the Max Walty-Hussy Collection: Coins and Medals, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2022.
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