Geneva 1754 pistole Fr-262

Sincona sale 70, lot 3319

This specimen was lot 3319 in Sincona sale 70 (Zurich, May 2021), where it sold for 6,000 CHF (about US$7,963 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[1] noted,

"SWITZERLAND | Geneva | Stadt und Kanton. Pistole 1754, Genf. Geschweiftes Stadtwappen unter strahlender Sonne mit Christus-Monogramm. Rv. Strahlende Sonne mit Christus-Monogramm. NGC MS65. (Switzerland, city and canton of Geneva, pistole of 1754, Geneva mint. Obverse: city arms under a shining sun with the Christ monogram; reverse: shining sun with Christ monogram. Gem uncirculated.)"

Whereas most of the Swiss cantons struck ducats when they chose to issue gold coins, the canton of Geneva issued pistoles 1722-24, 1752-72. The pistole was the common name for the Spanish two escudos (6.77 g) or the French Louis d'or (8.14 g) but this coin corresponds to neither, being very close to a double ducat. The canton of Neuchatel is also noted as having issued a (very rare) pistole. We don't know why this example's weight is so far below the standard given in the SCWC.

Reported Mintage: unknown.

Specification: 7.64 g, .900 fine gold, .221 troy oz AGW, this specimen 5.67 g.

Catalog reference: KM 77, D.T. 1005c, HMZ 2-338c, Fr-262.

Source:

• Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
• Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
• Richter, Juerg, 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]Jürg Richter, Auction 70, Swiss Coins and Medals and Rarities in Gold, Zurich: Sincona AG, 2021.

Link to:

• 1724 pistole
• 1755 pistole
• Coins and currency dated 1754