Basel 1624 2 batzen

Sincona sale 98, lot 4053

This specimen was lot 4053 in SINCONA Auction 98 (Zürich, May 2025), where it sold for 500 CHF (about US$725 including buyers' fees). The catalog description^[1] noted,

"SCHWEIZ Bistum Basel, Wilhelm Rink von Baldenstein, 1608-1628. 2 Batzen 1624, Pruntrut. Selten. Schön-sehr schön. (Switzerland, bishopric of Basel, Wilhelm Rink of Baldenstein, 1608-28, double batzen of 1624, Pruntrut mint. Rare, Fine-Very Fine.)"

The bishop of Basel was driven from his seat when Basel turned Protestant during the Reformation. He resided in Pruntrut and issued coins from there. This type was struck 1621 and 1624-25. Varieties exist with the denomination written as a "2" instead of a "Z", as here.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: 2.70-2.88 g, billon, 25 mm diameter, this specimen 3.00 g.

Catalog reference: KM 7, D.T. 1295b, HMZ 2-126b.

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.
• ^[1]Richter, Jurg, SINCONA Auction 98: The Konrad Bürki Collection - Part 3 (Swiss Cantonal Coins), Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2025.

Link to:

• bishop of Basel 1622 1/2 schilling
• 1624 half thaler, issued by the city
• 1624 thaler, eagle facing left, issued by the city
• 1624 thaler, eagle facing right, issued by the city
• bishop of Basel 1625 2 batzen
• bishop of Basel 1625 thaler Dav-4657
• Coins and currency dated 1624