Sitten 1624 1/2 thaler
This specimen was lot 3715 in Sincona sale 64 (Zürich, June 2020), where it sold for 8,000 CHF (about US$10,024 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SWITZERLAND | Wallis/Valais | Sitten, Bistum, Hildebrand Jost, 1613-1638. Halbtaler 1624, Sitten. Mitriertes Wappen, dahinter Schwert und Krummstab. Rv. Stehender Heiliger Theodul mit erhobenem Schwert in der Rechten und Krummstab an der linken Schulter angelehnt. Von höchster Seltenheit. Schön-sehr schön. Schrötlingsfehler am Rand, flaue Stellen. (bishopric of Sitten, Hildebrand Jost, 1613-1638, half thaler of 1624, Sitten mint. Obverse: mitred arms, sword and crozier behind; reverse: St. Theodul standing with sword and crozier. Of the highest rarity, Fine-very fine, Flan flaws on edge, weakly struck areas.)"
The bishopric of Sitten (Sion in French) encompassed most of what is now the canton of Valais. The bishops involved themselves in the petty feuds and struggles of the day, going so far as to participate in the battle of Marignano (1515). They successfully resisted the Reformation but were forced to cede their secular power in 1630. Coinage continued into the eighteenth century. Valais was not officially a member of the Swiss confederation until 1815. This example realized double the catalog value despite its problems.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen 13.41 g.
Catalog reference: KM 12, Palézieux 205, D.T. 1616, HMZ 2-1051a.
- [1]Richter, Jürg, Sincona sale 64: Swiss Coins and Medals, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2020.
- 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.
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