Geneva 1817-H 1-1/2 sol
This specimen was lot 3292 in Sincona sale 91 (Zürich, May 2024), where it sold for 750 CHF (about US$1,007 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SCHWEIZ Genf/Genève, Stadt und Kanton, 1 Sol 6 Deniers (6 Quarts) 1817, Genf. Silberabschlag. Selten. FDC. Prachtvolle Erhaltung. (Switzerland, canton of Geneva, one sol and six deniers (six quarts) of 1817, Geneva mint, struck in silver. Rare, Uncirculated, Magnificent condition.)"
Geneva, one of the cantons of Switzerland, struck coins sporadically throughout the eighteenth century. The coinage was interrupted by Napoleonic occupation but resumed in 1817. The billon issue, struck for circulation, is common. The SCWC does not mention the silver issue altho such is noted for the six deniers (KM 115) and one sol (KM 116). In 1839, the coinage was decimalized to 100 centimes = one franc. Prior to that, French denominations such as deniers, sous and pistoles were used. In 1848, Geneva was incorporated into the reformed Swiss Confederation and coinage for the individual cantons ceased.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver or billon, this specimen 1.66 g.
Catalog reference: KM 117, Demole 667, D.T. 270, var. Richter (Proben) 1-436, HMZ 2-358a, Anm.
- Divo, Jean-Paul, and Edwin Tobler, Die Münzen der Schweiz, im 19. und 20. Jahrhundert, Zurich: Bank Leu & Co AG, 1969.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- 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, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 91, The Konrad Bürki Collection - Part 1 (Swiss Cantonal Coins), Zurich: SINCONA AG, 2024.
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