Solothurn 1813 8 franken Fr-396
This specimen was lot 3550 in Sincona sale 70 (Zürich, May 2021), where it sold for 36,000 CHF (about US$47,779 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SWITZERLAND | Solothurn | Stadt und Kanton. 8 Franken (Halbduplone) 1813, Solothurn. Gekröntes, ovales Kantonswappen in einem Kranz. Unten die Jahreszahl. Rv. Stehender Krieger mit Schild, Hellebarde und Federhut. Im Abschnitt die Wertangabe. Sehr selten. Nur 106 Exemplare geprägt. Fast FDC. Prachtvolle Erhaltung. (Switzerland, canton of Solothurn, eight francs or half duplone of 1813, Solothurn mint. Crowned oval arms of the canton in short wreath, date below; reverse: standing knight with shield, halbard and feathered hat, value below. Very rare. Only 106 pieces struck, About uncirculated, Magnificent condition.)"
Most issues of this canton are rare with the exception of some billon five rappen (KM 78) and one batzen (KM 67). At this time, 400 rappen = 40 batzen = 4 franken = one thaler.
Recorded mintage: 106.
Specification: 3.82 g, 0.900 fine gold, this specimen 3.79 g.
Catalog reference: KM 74, D.T. 122, HMZ 2-854a. Fr-396.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- [1]Jürg Richter, Auction 70, Swiss Coins and Medals and Rarities in Gold, Zürich: Sincona AG, 2021.
- Divo, Jean-Paul, and Edwin Tobler, Die Münzen der Schweiz, im 19. und 20. Jahrhundert, Zürich: Bank Leu & Co AG, 1969.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- 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.
Link to: