View source for Sitten 1683 batzen KM-21

[[Image:Sincona98-4558.jpg|550px|thumb|Sincona sale 98, lot 4558]]

This specimen was lot 4558 in SINCONA Auction 98 (Zürich, May 2025), where it sold for 100 CHF (about US$145 including buyers' fees). The catalog description<sup>[1]</sup> noted, <blockquote>"''SCHWEIZ Wallis/Valais, Sitten, Bistum, Adrian V. von Riedmatten, 1672-1701. Batzen 1683, Sitten. Variante mit Jahreszahl am Ende der Rückseitenumschrift. Schön-sehr schön. Schrötlingsfehler.'' ([[Switzerland]], [[Switzerland, Bern|canton of Valais]], Adrian V of Riedmatten, 1672-1701, batzen of 1683, Sitten mint. Variety with the date at the end of the reverse legend. Fine-Very Fine, Flan flaws.)"</blockquote> 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. The Riedmatten family contributed six bishops of Sion and controlled the diocese 1529-45, 1565-1613, 1640-1701. Coinage continued into the eighteenth century. This type is listed for 1683 only and was accompanied by a half batzen. It also comes with the date in the reverse field (KM 22). A batzen was four kreuzer or 2/45 of a thaler. 

''Recorded mintage'': unknown.

''Specifications'': 2.38-2.54 g, billon, 24 mm diameter, this specimen 2.28 g. 

''Catalog reference'': KM 21, D.T. 1625 (plate coin), HMZ 2-1060a. 

''[[Bibliography|Sources]]'': 
* 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.
* <sup>[1]</sup>Richter, Jurg, ''SINCONA Auction 98: The Konrad Bürki Collection - Part 3 (Swiss Cantonal Coins),'' Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2025.

''Link to:''
* [[Sitten 1644 batzen|1644 batzen]]
* [[Sitten (16)83 1/2 batzen|(16)83 half batzen]]
* [[Sitten (16)85 1/2 kreuzer|(16)85 half kreuzer (vierer)]]
* [[Coins and currency dated 1683]]

[[Category:Selections from Sincona sale 96, 97, 98]][[Category:Coinage of the Swiss cantons]]