Sitten (15)83 kreuzer

Sincona sale 81, lot 6197

This specimen was lot 6197 in Sincona sale 81 (Zürich, October 2022), where it sold for 1,300 CHF (about US$1,558 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[1] noted, "SWITZERLAND | Wallis/Valais | Sitten, Bistum, Hildebrand I. von Riedmatten, 1565-1604. Kreuzer 1583, Sitten. Extremely rare. About very fine." 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. Coinage continued into the eighteenth century. Four kreuzer made a batzen. The Riedmatten family contributed six bishops of Sion and controlled the diocese 1529-45, 1565-1613, 1640-1701.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: billon, this specimen 1.05 g.

Catalog reference: HMZ 2-1048c, Palézieux - (fehlt).

Source:

• Richter, Juerg, and Ruedi Kunzmann, Neuer HMZ-Katalog, Band 2: Die Münzen der Schweiz und Liechtensteins 15//16. Jahrhundert bis Gegenwart, Regenstauf, Germany: H. Gietl Verlag GmbH, 2006.
• ^[1]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 81, the Max Walty-Hussy Collection: Coins and Medals, Zurich: SINCONA AG, 2022.

Link to:

• Sitten (1565-83) kreuzer
• (1565-1604) half batzen
• (1565-1604) half dicken
• (15)73 half kreuzer (vierer)
• 1594 kreuzer
• Coins and currency dated 1583