Geneva 1610-D 4 sols
This specimen was lot 3117 in Sincona sale 94 (Zurich, October 2024), where it sold for 200 CHF (about US$277 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SCHWEIZ Genf/Genève, Stadt und Kanton, 4 Sols 1610, Genf. Mzz. D. Selten. Schön-sehr schön. Kratzer. (Switzerland, canton of Geneva, Rare, Fine-Very Fine, Scratches.)
Nachdem nur gerade 75 Mark Silber für die 8 Sols- und 4 Sols-Münzen 1610 geprägt worden waren, beschloss der Genfer Rat am 10. Juli 1610, keine weiteren Emissionen mehr in Auftrag zu geben. Der Grund dafür war, dass die Sonne über den Stadtwappen bei beiden Nominalen, den Doppeladlern über den Wappen der 6-Sols und der 3 Sols zum Verwechseln ähnlich sahen und offenbar Verwechslungen mit den kleineren Nominalen auftraten. (After only 75 marks of silver had been minted for the 8 sols and 4 sols coins in 1610, the Geneva Council decided on July 10, 1610 not to commission any more issues. The reason for this was that the sun above the city coat of arms on both denominations looked very similar to the double eagles above the coats of arms of the 6 sols and the 3 sols and confusion with the smaller denominations apparently occurred.)"
The early coinage of Geneva is rare. The SCWC notes that one thaler was twelve florins and 9 sols. This type is listed for 1610.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 1.3 g, silver, this specimen 1.19 g.
Catalog reference: KM 19, Demole 398. D.T. 1671. HMZ 2-324a.
- 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 94: World and Swiss Coins and Medals, SINCONA Bullion Auction, Zurich: SINCONA AG, 2024.
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