1/2 Thaler

Basel's autonomy as a city-republic within the loose framework of the old Confederation made its independent coinage politically charged by the 1790s. French Revolutionary armies were reorganizing Swiss territories by force, and the Helvetic Republic would be imposed just one year later in 1798, extinguishing Basel's right to strike its own currency entirely. This 1797 half thaler is among the final emissions under the old civic authority.

The HMZ 2-100p reference places it within a well-documented sequence, but late-date examples from this final year see noticeably lower survival rates in problem-free condition — likely a consequence of melting and recoinage during the monetary consolidation that followed Helvetic unification.