40 Batzens Counterstamped

During the late eighteenth century, Bern systematically counterstamped older large silver coins — typically foreign or cantonal issues already in circulation — to authenticate and revalue them for continued local use. The 40 Batzen denomination placed these pieces at the upper end of everyday transactional coinage, and the counterstamping program reflects Bern's ongoing struggle to manage a heterogeneous silver supply that had accumulated across decades of regional trade.

The host coins beneath the counterstamp vary, and identifying the original issue can materially affect collector interest.