Guldiner Gold trial strike ND

Reverse

St. Vincent standing left, holding Gospels and quill; all within polylobe.

Script: Latin (uncial)

Lettering: ᐤ SANCTVS ✽ VIN CENEIVS ✽ 1501 ᐤ

Lettering (regular font): ᐤ SANCTVS ✽ VIN CENEIVS ✽ 1501 ᐤ

Comment

Guldiner pattern struck in Gold in a 5 Goldgulden weight.

One of the last appearances of purely Catholic religious iconography in the coinage of a Canton soon to be dominated by Calvin and Zwingli during the struggles of the Reformation.

Examples of this type:

• Example #1:

© Image courtesy of SINCONA AG:
◦ Auctioned by SINCONA AG, Auction 30, 20 May 2016, Lot 3515. Sold for 46,000 CHF.

Interesting fact

The Pattern Guldiner (Gold trial strike) ND (1501) from City of Bern made of Gold weighing 16.45 g is a rare and valuable coin, with only a few examples known to exist. It is considered a "pattern" coin, meaning it was struck as a trial or sample, and not intended for circulation. The coin's design features the coat of arms of Bern, a Swiss city, and the inscription "Bern" in bold letters. The obverse side bears the image of a crowned eagle, symbolizing the Holy Roman Empire. The coin's rarity and historical significance make it highly sought after by collectors and numismatists.

• medieval
• early modern