2 Kreuzers / ½ Batzen

Historical Context: The 1714 2 Kreuzers / ½ Batzen was issued by the Imperial Free City of St. Gallen, a prominent Protestant city-state within the Holy Roman Empire. In the early 18th century, St. Gallen thrived as a center for textiles and trade, maintaining independence from both the neighboring Prince-Abbey and larger European powers. This coin reflects the city's self-governance and its role in regional commerce, participating in the broader monetary system of the Swiss Confederation and South Germany, crucial for daily transactions.

Artistry: The design of this billon issue typically features the civic arms of St. Gallen – a rampant bear – on the obverse, symbolizing the city's identity. The reverse commonly displays the denomination, '2 KREUZER' or '½ BATZEN,' and the date, often within a simple cartouche or cruciform arrangement. The engraver is generally anonymous, and the stylistic school reflects a functional, vernacular approach to late Baroque numismatic art, prioritizing clarity of heraldry and legend over elaborate ornamentation, accommodating the alloy's limitations.

Technical/Grading: As a billon coin, the 1714 St. Gallen 2 Kreuzers typically exhibits a less precise strike compared to higher-value silver issues. High-points for wear and strike quality include the bear's head, paws, and the details of its claws on the obverse, along with the serifs of the lettering and any reverse decorative elements. Due to billon's properties, planchet irregularities, weak strikes, and susceptibility to environmental damage (porosity, corrosion) are common, often resulting in unevenly struck legends and flattened design elements, particularly in lower relief areas.