© Sincona AG
© Sincona AG
½ Batzen BERCTOL D ZERINGE FVNDA
| Billon | 1.76 g | - |
| Issuer | City of Bern |
|---|---|
| Period | Free imperial city (1353-1648) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 1530-1551 |
| Value | ½ Batzen = 1⁄48 Guldiner |
| Currency | Guldiner (1492-1601) |
| Composition | Billon |
| Weight | 1.76 g |
| Shape | Round |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-08 |
| Numista | N#198640 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Cross fleury.
Script: Latin
Lettering: ✠ BERCTOL ∙ D : ZERINGE ; FVNDA ;
Comment
Examples of varieties of this type:• Variety 1530:
Obverse: MONETA ❖ BERNENSIS ❖ 1530
Reverse: ✠ BERCTOL ∙ D : ZERINGE ; FVNDA ;
• Example 1530 (1.76g, Fine-Very Fine):
© Image courtesy of SINCONA AG:
◦ Auctioned by SINCONA AG, Auction 53, 25 October 2018, Lot 6166. Estimated at 100 CHF, unsold.
• Variety 1537-1538:
Obverse: MONETA ❖ BERNENSIS ∙ 1537
Reverse: ✠ BERCTOL ∙ D : ZERINGE ; FVNDA ;
• Example 1537 (1.34g, About Very Fine):
© Image courtesy of SINCONA AG:
◦ Auctioned by SINCONA AG, Auction 53, 25 October 2018, Lot 6170. Sold for 1,000 CHF.
• Example 1538 #1 (1.55g, About Very Fine):
© Image courtesy of SINCONA AG:
◦ Auctioned by SINCONA AG, Auction 53, 25 October 2018, Lot 6171. Sold for 80 CHF.
• Example 1538 #2 (1.80g, Good Very Fine):
© Image courtesy of SINCONA AG:
◦ Auctioned by SINCONA AG, Auction 30, 20 May 2016, Lot 3522. Sold for 250 CHF.
• Variety 1546:
Obverse: MONETA ᛭ BERNENSIS 1546
Reverse: ✠ BERCTOL ∙ D ∙ ZERINGE ∙ FVNDA
• Example 1546 (1.63g, Fine):
© Image courtesy of SINCONA AG:
◦ Auctioned by SINCONA AG, Auction 53, 25 October 2018, Lot 6176. Estimated at 100 CHF, unsold.
• Variety 1550:
Obverse: MONETA : BERNENSIS ∙ 1550
Reverse: ✠ BERCTOL ∙ D ∙ ZERINGE ∙ FVNDA
• Example 1550 #1 (1.63g, Fine):
© Image courtesy of SINCONA AG:
◦ Auctioned by SINCONA AG, Auction 53, 25 October 2018, Lot 6181. Sold for 80 CHF.
• Example 1550 #2 (1.83g, Good Very Fine):
© Image courtesy of SINCONA AG:
◦ Auctioned by SINCONA AG, Auction 30, 20 May 2016, Lot 3530. Sold for 250 CHF.
• Variety 1551:
Obverse: MONETA ∙ BERNENSIS ∙ 1551
Reverse: ✠ BERCTOL ∙ D ∙ ZERINGE ∙ FVNDA :
• Example 1551 (About Very Fine):
© Image courtesy of SINCONA AG:
◦ Auctioned by SINCONA AG, Auction 53, 25 October 2018, Lot 6183. Sold for 100 CHF.
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the ½ Batzen coin from the City of Bern is that it was made of Billon, which is an alloy of silver and copper. This was a common practice during the 16th century, as it allowed for the production of coins that were more durable and resistant to wear and tear than coins made of pure silver. The use of Billon in coinage also made it possible to produce more coins with a lower silver content, which helped to alleviate the shortage of silver coins during this time period.
