Solothurn 1623 1/2 thaler
This specimen was lot 5460 in Sincona Auction 102 (Zürich, October 2025), where it sold for 15,000 CHF (about US$22,608 including buyers' fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SCHWEIZ. Solothurn. Stadt und Kanton. Halbtaler 1623, Solothurn. Mittelgrosses Solothurnerwappen zwischen 16 - Z3 und darunter S - O. Darüber grosser, nimbierter Doppeladler. Rv. Hl. Ursus mit Helm und Nimbus halbrechts, mit grosser Kreuzfahne und Schwert. Von grosser Seltenheit. Revers: Doppelschlag. Vorzüglich. Exemplar der Auktion Leu Numismatik 88, Zürich, Oktober 2003, Los 2333. Exemplar der Sammlung P. C. Stroehlin, Auktion Stroehlin, 3. Teil, Genf, Februar 1911, Los 2384. (Switzerland, canton of Solothurn, half thaler of 1623, Solothurn mint. Obverse: medium-sized arms of Solothurn between 16 - Z3 and below it S - O; above it a large, nimbate double-headed eagle. Reverse: Saint Ursus with helmet and halo, facing slightly to the right, holding a large banner and a sword. Of high rarity, Double struck on the reverse, Extremely Fine.)"
While this half thaler may not be unique like the thaler (Dav-4630), it is certainly rare.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 13.8 g, silver, 34 mm diameter, this specimen 14.40 g.
Catalog reference: KM 13, Simmen-HMZ (SMK VII) 71, HMZ 2-832a.
- 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 102: The Konrad Bürki Collection - Part 4 (Swiss Cantonal Coins), Zurich: SINCONA AG, 2025.
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