© Heritage Auctions
© Heritage Auctions
40 Batzens Counterstamped ND
| Silver (.917) | 29.488 g | 41 mm |
| Issuer | Canton of Bern |
|---|---|
| Period | Republic |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 1816-1819 |
| Value | 40 Batzen |
| Currency | Frank (1798-1850) |
| Composition | Silver (.917) |
| Weight | 29.488 g |
| Diameter | 41 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled, Counterstamped |
| Orientation | Coin alignment ↑↓ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-07 |
| Numista | N#24436 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Crowned round arms of France within sprays, denomination counterstamp
Script: Latin
Lettering:
1768 SIT NOMEN DOMINI BENEDICTUM
·N·
40
BZ·
Edge
Reeded with inscription
Lettering: DOMINE SALVUM FAC REGEM
Comment
Counterstamped between July 1816 - July 1819. Krause lists the Date as ND (1816).From July 1816 to July 1819, private individuals were able to check the weight of worn French ecus in the Bern Mint for a fee, and if they weighed at least 542 grains (28,788 grams). A total of 600,000 pieces were counter-stamped. However, since these pieces were very popular with the silver processing industry (especially among the watch case manufacturers in Geneva, La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle), many of the counter-stamped pieces went into the melting pot and are therefore quite rare.
Examples of this type:
• Example counterstamp on French écu from 1765 Pau (28.85g, Very Fine):
© Image courtesy of SINCONA AG
◦ Auctioned by SINCONA AG, Auction 30, 20 May 2016, Lot 3745. Sold for 250 CHF.
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the 40 Batzens coin from the Canton of Bern is that it was counterstamped with the Bernese coat of arms, which features a bear, symbolizing the canton's name and history.
