Solothurn 1826 5 batzen
This specimen was lot 34655 in Heritage sale 3076 (Long Beach, CA, September 2019), where it sold for $408. The catalog description[1] noted, "Switzerland: Solothurn. Canton 5 Batzen 1826 MS67+ NGC. Blast white with satin fields." The second specimen was lot 4472 in Sincona sale 95 (Zürich, October 2024), where it sold for 225 CHF (about US$312 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[2] noted,
"SCHWEIZ Solothurn, Stadt und Kanton, 5 Batzen 1826, Solothurn. Variante mit BAZ. Schräg gerippter Rand. FDC. Überprägungsspuren. (Switzerland, canton of Solothurn, five batzen of 1826, Solothurn mint, variety with value spelled "BAZ". Mint State, Signs of overstrike.)"
The canton of Solothurn, never a steady issuer of coins, issued this denomination the one year only. This issue of 1826 was accompanied by five rappen, one batzen and 2½ batzen. One variety shows the denomination spelled "BATZ" (KM 82, first specimen) and another shows it spelled "BAZ" (KM 83, second specimen). Coinage ceased in 1830. Ten batzen made a frank and four franken made a thaler. This type is scarce but not rare.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 4.4 g, silver, 25 mm diameter, this specimen 4.35 g.
Catalog reference: the first specimen KM 82 "BATZ", the second specimen KM 83 "BAZ", Simmen-HMZ (SMK VII) 113a, D.T. 126b, HMZ 2-857d.
- 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.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano and Warren Tucker, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3076, featuring the Allen Moretti Swiss Collection and the James Mossman Collection of Canadian Coinage, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2019.
- [2]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 95: The Konrad Bürki Collection - Part 2 (Swiss Cantonal Coins), Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2024.
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