© Sincona AG
© Sincona AG
Batzen
| Billon | 2.36 g | 27 mm |
| Issuer | City of Zürich |
|---|---|
| Period | Free imperial city (1218-1648) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 1607-1608 |
| Value | 1 Batzen (5⁄144) |
| Currency | Dicken (1561-1621) |
| Composition | Billon |
| Weight | 2.36 g |
| Diameter | 27 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-08 |
| Numista | N#97101 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 95% |
Reverse
Cross pattée.
Script: Latin
Lettering: CIVITATIS ✿ IMPERIALIS · 1607 ·
Translation: Of the imperial city.
Comment
Varieties of this type are known to exist:• Variant 1607 (Hürlimann 939)
Obverse legend: MONE : NOVA 🟉 THVRICENSIS
Reverse legend: CIVITATIS ✿ IMPERIALIS ✿ 1607 ✿
Weight: 2.65 g (Hürlimann)
Diameter: 25.0 mm (Hürlimann)
• Variant 1607 (Hürlimann 940)
Obverse legend: MONE : NOVA 🟉 THVRICENSIS
Reverse legend: CIVITATIS · IMPERIALIS · 1607 ·
Weight: 2.97 g (Hürlimann)
Diameter: 25.2 mm (Hürlimann)
⸰ Example #1 (2.49 g; good very fine):
∙ Auctioned by Sincona AG, Auction 29, 18 May 2016, Lot 2647. estimated at 80 CHF, unsold.
© Sincona AG
• Variant 1607 (Hürlimann 941)
Obverse legend: MONE : NOVA ✿ THVRICENSIS ✿
Reverse legend: CIVITATIS ✿ IMPERIALIS · 1607 ·
Weight: 2.69 g (Hürlimann)
Diameter: 25.3 mm (Hürlimann)
⸰ Example #1:
∙ Auctioned by Sincona AG, Auction 53, 25 October 2018, Lot 6991.
© Sincona AG
⸰ Example #2:
∙ Auctioned by Hess-Divo AG, Auction 329, 17 November 2015, Lot 283. Estimated at 50 CHF, unsold.
© Sincona AG
• Variant 1607 (Hürlimann 943)
Obverse legend: MONE : NOVA · THVRICENSIS
Reverse legend: CIVITATIS ✿ IMPERIALIS · 1607 ✿
Weight: 2.35 g (Hürlimann)
Diameter: 25.5 mm (Hürlimann)
• Variant 1607 (Hürlimann 944)
Obverse legend: MONE : NOVA · THVRICENSIS ·
Reverse legend: CIVITATIS ✿ IMPERIALIS · 1607 ✿
Weight: 2.63 g (Hürlimann)
Diameter: 25.5 mm (Hürlimann)
• Variant 1607 (Hürlimann –)
Obverse legend: MONE : NOVA 🞲 THVRICENSIS 🞲
Reverse legend: CIVITATIS 🞲 IMPERIALIS 🞲 1607 🞲
Weight: 2.63 g (Hürlimann)
Diameter: 25.5 mm (Hürlimann)
⸰ Example #1:
∙ Auctioned by Sincona AG, Auction 53, 25 October 2018, Lot 6990.
© Sincona AG
• Variant 1608 (Hürlimann 945)
Obverse legend: MONE : NOVA · THVRICENSIS
Reverse legend: CIVITATIS · IMPERIALIS · 1608 ·
Weight: 2.66 g (Hürlimann)
Diameter: 25.3 mm (Hürlimann)
⸰ Example #1:
∙ Auctioned by Leu Numismatik AG, Auction 84, 22 October 2002, Lot 772.
© Leu Numismatik AG
⸰ Example #2:
∙ Auctioned by Sincona AG, Auction 53, 25 October 2018, Lot 6991.
© Sincona AG
• Variant 1608 (Hürlimann 946)
Obverse legend: MONE : NOVA · THVRICENSIS
Reverse legend: CIVITATIS · IMPERIALIS · 1608
Weight: 2.87 g (Hürlimann)
Diameter: 25.1 mm (Hürlimann)
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the Batzen 1607-1608 from City of Zürich is that it was minted during a time of great economic and political change in Europe. The coin was issued during the reign of Rudolf II, who was the Holy Roman Emperor at the time, and its minting was likely a response to the growing need for currency in the region. The use of billon, a copper and silver alloy, was a common practice during this period, as it was a more affordable alternative to pure silver or gold coins. Despite its relatively low value, the Batzen 1607-1608 is still a highly sought-after collector's item today, with some examples selling for thousands of dollars at auction.
