10 Batzens

Historical Context: The 1782 10 Batzens from the City of Lucerne hails from the late Ancien Régime of the Swiss Confederacy, predating the French Revolution's impact. Lucerne, a prominent Catholic canton governed by an aristocratic council, exercised significant autonomy and monetary sovereignty. This coinage reflects its independent economic policy and regional importance. The coin thus serves as a tangible link to Switzerland's pre-Napoleonic era, before the profound restructuring of cantonal power and the formation of the Helvetic Republic.

Artistry: While the engraver for this denomination is often unrecorded, the coin's aesthetic aligns with late Baroque to early Neoclassical styles common in Swiss cantonal mints. The obverse invariably features the distinctive Lucerne coat of arms—a bipartite shield of blue and white—often within a cartouche or beneath a crown. The reverse commonly displays the denomination "10 BATZENS" and the date "1782," frequently encircled by a laurel or palm wreath, emblematic of civic virtue. Lettering is typically classical, robust, and clear.

Technical/Grading: Struck in silver (8.9 grams, 30.0 millimeters), the 10 Batzens is a substantial piece. Key high-points susceptible to wear include the crown atop the shield, the shield's division line, and the central elements of any reverse wreath. Strike quality, typical of late 18th-century screw press production, varies; examples may show slight planchet irregularities or minor peripheral weakness. Well-preserved examples exhibit sharp shield details and clear, full lettering, indicative of a strong strike on a well-prepared flan.