The Most Beautiful: Talers from the City of Zurich, selected by Ruedi Kunzmann
10Zurich, taler of 40 batzen/neutaler 1813.
The last taler minted in Zurich is a typical coin from what is known as the ‘Restoration’ period in Switzerland. You may estimate beautiful the clarity of the embossed lines, it truly reflects the taste of the times. In 1841, Zurich’s mint closed permanently; the last coins produced on behalf of the city were minted in Stuttgart.
The last taler minted in Zurich is a typical coin from what is known as the ‘Restoration’ period in Switzerland. You may estimate beautiful the clarity of the embossed lines, it truly reflects the taste of the times. In 1841, Zurich’s mint closed permanently; the last coins produced on behalf of the city were minted in Stuttgart.
09Zurich, taler 1651 (known as ‘Vögelitaler’).
The earliest taler from Zurich, depicting a cityscape. Almost all of the pieces are weakly struck above the cityscape in the clouds but next to this, you can see the flock of little birds (or ‘Vögeli’ in Swiss German) that gave the coin its name.
The earliest taler from Zurich, depicting a cityscape. Almost all of the pieces are weakly struck above the cityscape in the clouds but next to this, you can see the flock of little birds (or ‘Vögeli’ in Swiss German) that gave the coin its name.
08Zurich, taler 1661.
The so-called ‘Wasertaler’ or ‘Hochmutstaler’ of 1660 was rejected to such an extent that the majority of these coins, most of which were freshly minted, were withdrawn and overstruck on the spot. Some talers from 1661, like this piece, still show traces of this overstrike. On the reverse at about 5 o clock, you can still quite clearly see parts of the outline of the family crest and the crown of the original issue.
The so-called ‘Wasertaler’ or ‘Hochmutstaler’ of 1660 was rejected to such an extent that the majority of these coins, most of which were freshly minted, were withdrawn and overstruck on the spot. Some talers from 1661, like this piece, still show traces of this overstrike. On the reverse at about 5 o clock, you can still quite clearly see parts of the outline of the family crest and the crown of the original issue.
07Zurich, taler 1660 (known as ‘Wasertaler or ‘Hochmutstaler’).
This coin was minted on the orders of the controversial mayor of Zurich, Johann Heinrich Waser (in office 1652-1655), as well as treasurer Schneeberger. The people of Zurich interpreted the flower on the reverse to be a slightly modified French lily added on the orders of Waser, a strident supporter of French politics. In fact, this symbol was probably an imitation of Schneeberger’s family crest. This meant the unpopular coin was in for a rough time – and it was quickly withdrawn from circulation. See the next image to discover the fate of many of these pieces.
This coin was minted on the orders of the controversial mayor of Zurich, Johann Heinrich Waser (in office 1652-1655), as well as treasurer Schneeberger. The people of Zurich interpreted the flower on the reverse to be a slightly modified French lily added on the orders of Waser, a strident supporter of French politics. In fact, this symbol was probably an imitation of Schneeberger’s family crest. This meant the unpopular coin was in for a rough time – and it was quickly withdrawn from circulation. See the next image to discover the fate of many of these pieces.
06Zurich, gold pattern of 3 ducats of the taler 1624.
In Zurich, too, gold patterns were minted in weights of multiple ducats for representational purposes. Even private individuals could order these coins to give to family members as presents. The patterns weighing 4 ducats are well-known, but patterns of 3 ducats are extremely rare.
In Zurich, too, gold patterns were minted in weights of multiple ducats for representational purposes. Even private individuals could order these coins to give to family members as presents. The patterns weighing 4 ducats are well-known, but patterns of 3 ducats are extremely rare.
05Zurich, taler 1727 (cityscape).
On this taler, Zurich-born mint master Hans Jakob Gessner I. chose to depict the view of the city from the lake. Now, you can clearly see the fortified access point from the lake to the river Limmat. By the way, the tower in the middle of the river was not part of the city fortifications – no, this building, called ‘Wellenberg’, was actually the city’s prison. Wellenberg, and the purpose it served, was first mentioned back in 1304, in the ‘Richtebrief’ (city charter). This tower remained a prison all the way up to 1834 and, three years after that, it was torn down because it was increasingly obstructing the path of ships.
On this taler, Zurich-born mint master Hans Jakob Gessner I. chose to depict the view of the city from the lake. Now, you can clearly see the fortified access point from the lake to the river Limmat. By the way, the tower in the middle of the river was not part of the city fortifications – no, this building, called ‘Wellenberg’, was actually the city’s prison. Wellenberg, and the purpose it served, was first mentioned back in 1304, in the ‘Richtebrief’ (city charter). This tower remained a prison all the way up to 1834 and, three years after that, it was torn down because it was increasingly obstructing the path of ships.
04Zurich, taler, no date, around 1707 (known as ‘Schanzentaler’ (fortification taler)).
The second-oldest taler in Zurich features a cityscape, depicting the grand city from the south, with the fortifications and ramparts depicted especially prominently. Between 1642 and 1677, earth mounds and walls were erected and the access point for ships from the lake (on the right side of the coin) was built. This beautiful taler was produced by Hans Jakob Gessner I, who was appointed mint master in 1706.
The second-oldest taler in Zurich features a cityscape, depicting the grand city from the south, with the fortifications and ramparts depicted especially prominently. Between 1642 and 1677, earth mounds and walls were erected and the access point for ships from the lake (on the right side of the coin) was built. This beautiful taler was produced by Hans Jakob Gessner I, who was appointed mint master in 1706.
03Zurich, 1 ¼ taler klippe 1559.
One of Zurich’s most beautiful coins. Mint master Stampfer was probably the most famous die cutter in Zurich in the 16th century. He was also one of the partners of the inventors of the rolling mill. The shamrock-like embellishments at the side were probably added to the rollers for representational purposes, and they also helped to stabilise the prepared metal strips during minting. The roller die symbol ‘E’ is in the upper left corner.
One of Zurich’s most beautiful coins. Mint master Stampfer was probably the most famous die cutter in Zurich in the 16th century. He was also one of the partners of the inventors of the rolling mill. The shamrock-like embellishments at the side were probably added to the rollers for representational purposes, and they also helped to stabilise the prepared metal strips during minting. The roller die symbol ‘E’ is in the upper left corner.
02Zurich, guldengroschen 1512.
The guldengroschen/guldiner was first struck in 1486 by Sigismund, Archduke of Austria, in Hall in Tirol. 25 years later, Zurich’s first high-denomination silver coin was produced. This was before Zwingli’s Reformation, and so the reverse depicts the three patron saints of Zurich, Felix, Regula and Exuperantius, who, according to legend, were beheaded and then carried by angels to what is now the site of Zurich’s Grossmünster.
The guldengroschen/guldiner was first struck in 1486 by Sigismund, Archduke of Austria, in Hall in Tirol. 25 years later, Zurich’s first high-denomination silver coin was produced. This was before Zwingli’s Reformation, and so the reverse depicts the three patron saints of Zurich, Felix, Regula and Exuperantius, who, according to legend, were beheaded and then carried by angels to what is now the site of Zurich’s Grossmünster.
01Zurich, taler 1773 (known as ‘Gessnertaler’).
In my opinion, this is Zurich’s most beautiful taler. It is also one of the rarest coins from the city. The design for this enchanting coin was provided by painter and poet Salomon Gessner (1730-1788). However, the reverse die was of very low quality, so it cracked and became unusable after minting just 36 coins.
In my opinion, this is Zurich’s most beautiful taler. It is also one of the rarest coins from the city. The design for this enchanting coin was provided by painter and poet Salomon Gessner (1730-1788). However, the reverse die was of very low quality, so it cracked and became unusable after minting just 36 coins.
Zurich’s talers have a centuries-old history behind them; the earliest guldiners were struck way back in 1512 and the last Zurich taler of 40 batzen was struck in 1813. Each and every coin selected is a little piece of history and, if they could talk, they would no doubt astonish us with tales of everything they experienced and what they were used for. This selection therefore focusses less on physical beauty and more on historical value.
If you would like to contact Ruedi Kunzmann or learn about other Swiss coins, please visit the SINCONA AG website.
