Unterwalden 1732 20 kreuzer KM-26

Sincona sale 98, lot 4345

This specimen was lot 4345 in SINCONA Auction 98 (Zürich, May 2025), where it sold for 80 CHF (about US$116 including buyers' fees). The catalog description^[1] noted,

"SCHWEIZ Obwalden, 20 Kreuzer 1732, Sarnen. Variante mit Wappen, die Jahreszahl teilend. Schräg gerippter Rand. Schön-sehr schön. (Switzerland, half canton of Obwalden, twenty kreuzer of 1732, Sarnen mint, variety with the arms dividing the date. Obliquely reeded edge. Fine-Very Fine.)"

Unterwalden was one of the three original cantons forming the Swiss Confederation in 1291. Far from the main channels of commerce, her coinage is scanty and rare. Unterwalden was divided into the "half cantons" of Obwalden and Nidwalden. This type was struck 1732 and 1736 and was worth one-sixth of a convention thaler. The similar KM 13 has the date on the eagle side, KM 14 has the date above the shield.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specifications: 3.94 g, silver, 26 mm diameter, this specimen 4.57 g.

Catalog reference: KM 26, Greter (SMK IV) 39a var. D.T. 616a, HMZ 2-735m.

Sources:

• Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
• 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 98: The Konrad Bürki Collection - Part 3 (Swiss Cantonal Coins), Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2025.

Link to:

• 1731 20 kreuzer, date above shield
• 1732 20 kreuzer, date above shield
• 1732 half thaler
• 1732 thaler
• 1736 20 kreuzer, arms divide date
• Coins and currency dated 1732