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2 Vierer Klippe
| Issuer | City of Basel |
|---|---|
| Year | 1501-1600 |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Technique | Hammered |
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| Obverse description | Central field displays the Basel crozier (episcopal staff) set within a quatrefoil or lobed inner border composed of beaded or pellet ornamentation, executed in the hammered klippe style on a square flan. The crozier, symbol of the Bishop of Basel and the city's heraldic emblem, is rendered in relief at center. Surrounding the inner border is a circular outer legend reading '+ GLOR + IN . EXCES + DOE', an abbreviated devotional inscription referencing Gloria in Excelsis Deo, separated by cross stops. The entire device is contained within a beaded outer circle, itself set against the characteristic angular square flan of the klippe format. |
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| Reverse description | A plain cross with bifurcated or ornate terminals divides the reverse field into four quadrants, each containing a segment of the mint legend, arranged within a beaded inner circle. The cross arms extend to the inner beaded border, creating a bold quartered design typical of Swiss municipal coinage of the period. The surrounding legend reads 'MON ETA BAS ILIE', an abbreviation of Moneta Basiliensis, identifying this as currency of the city of Basel. The overall design is characteristic of late medieval hammered coinage, struck on a square klippe flan with irregular edges resulting from the hand-cutting of the planchet. |
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| Additional information |
Basel's klippe issues of the sixteenth century were struck as presentation pieces and Schaugepräge — coins made to display technical virtuosity rather than to circulate. The square flan required the hammerman to center his blow with unusual precision; off-center strikes were discarded, which is why survivors tend to show complete legends and sharp corners.
The HMZ 2-67b variety designation covers a documented die variation within this type. Winter Kl#94 places it firmly in the recognized klippe canon for the city.