Unterwalden 1812 5 batzen
This specimen was lot 4920 in Sincona sale 83 (Zürich, May 2023), where it sold for 2,800 CHF (about US$3,747 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted, "SWITZERLAND Obwalden, 5 Batzen 1812, Solothurn. FDC. Prachtvolle Erhaltung (Uncirculated, Magnificent condition)." After being temporarily unified under Napoleon's Helvetic Republic, the cantons went their separate ways after the Congress of Vienna and issued a torrent of low value coins. Not until 1850 would a unified confederation mint her own coins and terminate the local issues. This five batzen is rare. Unterwalden, being half Catholic and half Protestant, was divided into half cantons, Nidwalden and Obwalden. This series of 1812, which included a half batzen and a one batzen, is the last from the canton.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: billon, this specimen 4.68 g.
Catalog reference: KM 53, D.T. 89, HMZ 2-742a.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Divo, Jean-Paul, and Edwin Tobler, Die Münzen der Schweiz, im 19. und 20. Jahrhundert, Zürich: Bank Leu & Co AG, 1969.
- 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 83, World and Swiss Coins and Medals, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2023.
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