Sitten 1777 batzen
This specimen was lot 4595 in Sincona sale 95 (Zürich, October 2024), where it sold for 140 CHF (about US$194 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SCHWEIZ Sitten, Bistum, Franz Friedrich Ambüel, 1760-1780. Batzen 1777, Sitten. Fast vorzüglich. (Switzerland, bishopric of Sitten (Sion), Francis Frederick Ambuel, 1760-80, batzen of 1777, Sitten mint. About Extremely 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 was struck 1776-78; the 1777 is the most common date.
Record mintage: unknown.
Specification: 2.56 g, billon, 24 mm diameter, this specimen 2.30 g.
Catalog reference: KM 35, D.T. 978b, HMZ 2-1071c.
- 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, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 95: The Konrad Bürki Collection - Part 2 (Swiss Cantonal Coins), Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2024.
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