Sechser ND
| Billon | 0.84 g | 18 mm |
| Issuer | City of Zürich |
|---|---|
| Period | Free imperial city (1218-1648) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 1600-1648 |
| Value | 1 Sechser (1⁄144) |
| Currency | Dicken (1561-1621) |
| Composition | Billon |
| Weight | 0.84 g |
| Diameter | 18 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-07 |
| Numista | N#91331 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 93% |
Reverse
Single headed eagle within circle.
Script: Latin
Lettering: * CIVITATIS * IMPERIALIS
Comment
Years of mintage are unknown. Both SCWC and HMZ attribute to the 17th century.Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the Sechser coin from the City of Zurich is that it was used as a form of emergency currency during the Thirty Years War (1618-1648). Due to the scarcity of precious metals, many cities in Switzerland, including Zurich, resorted to issuing coins made of billon, a copper and silver alloy, to address the shortage of small denomination coins. The Sechser coin, which was worth six Batzen (a local currency unit), was one of the most widely used emergency coins during this period. Despite its low value, it played a crucial role in facilitating everyday transactions in Zurich during a time of economic hardship.
