Neuchatel 1808 1/2 batzen
This specimen was lot 2897 in Sincona sale 47 (Zurich, May 2018), where it sold for 400 CHF (about US$480 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SWITZERLAND, Neuenburg/Neuchâtel, Alexandre Berthier, Prince de Neuchâtel, 1806-1814. Halbbatzen 1808. Sehr selten in dieser Erhaltung. FDC. (principality of Neuchâtel, Alexander Berthier, 1806-14, half batzen of 1808. Very rare in this condition, Uncirculated.)"
After being temporarily unified under Napoleon's Helvetic Republic, the cantons went their separate ways after the Congress of Vienna and issued a torrent of low value coins. Not until 1850 would a unified confederation mint her own coins and terminate the local issues. This type was struck 1807-09.
Reported Mintage: unknown.
Specification: billon, this specimen 1.52 g.
Catalog reference: D.T. 256b, HMZ 2-723d, KM 68.1.
- 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, Auction 47, World Coins and Medals, Coins and Medals from Switzerland, Zurich: Sincona AG, 2018.
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