Sitten 1542 1/2 dicken

Sincona sale 81, lot 6196

This specimen was lot 6196 in Sincona sale 81 (Zurich, October 2022), where it sold for 1,100 CHF (about US$1,319 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[1] noted, "SWITZERLAND | Wallis/Valais | Sitten, Bistum, Adrian I. von Riedmatten, 1529-1548. Halbdicken 1542, Sitten. Very rare. Fine-very fine. Scratches and notches." This type was issued by the bishop of Sitten (Sion in French). It was likely intended to be one-sixth of a thaler. The prince-bishopric was secularized and added to the canton of Valais in 1807.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: billon, this specimen 4.58 g.

Catalog reference: HMZ 2-1033b.

Source:

• Richter, Juerg, and Ruedi Kunzmann, Neuer HMZ-Katalog, Band 2: Die Münzen der Schweiz und Liechtensteins 15//16. Jahrhundert bis Gegenwart, Regenstauf, Germany: H. Gietl Verlag GmbH, 2006.
• ^[1]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 81, the Max Walty-Hussy Collection: Coins and Medals, Zurich: SINCONA AG, 2022.

Link to:

• 1501 1¼ guldiner
• Bern 1541 dicken
• Sitten (1565-83) kreuzer
• Coins and currency dated 1542