| Issuer | Canton of Basel |
|---|---|
| Year | 1826 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Value | 5 Rappen (0.05) |
| Currency | Frank (1805-1850) |
| Composition | Billon |
| Weight | 1.99 g |
| Diameter | 22 mm |
| Thickness | 0.8 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Coin alignment ↑↓ |
| Engraver(s) | |
| In circulation to | |
| Reference(s) | KM#204, HMZ 2#112d |
| Obverse description | Pointed shield within wreath. Value below. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin |
| Obverse lettering | CANTON BASEL 5.RAP |
| Reverse description | Wide Cross |
| Reverse script | Latin |
| Reverse lettering | •1826• CONCORD CANTONE DER SCHWEIZ 5 RP |
| Edge | |
| Mint | |
| Mintage |
1826 - - |
| Numisquare ID | 1150317160 |
| Additional information |
Historical Context: The 1826 5 Rappen was issued by the Canton of Basel during Switzerland's Restoration. Post-Napoleonic, cantons regained significant sovereignty, including minting rights, reflecting Basel's prominence as an urban and financial center in the re-established Swiss Confederacy. This coinage predates the 1833 cantonal division, signifying unified authority amidst urban-rural tensions. Billon facilitated daily commerce in Basel's robust economy, showcasing independent cantonal monetary policy before federalization.
Artistry: The 1826 Basel 5 Rappen exemplifies the functional, heraldic aesthetic of early 19th-century Swiss cantonal coinage. The obverse features the Baselstab, the canton's traditional crozier emblem, rendered with clear lines. The reverse displays "5 RAPPEN" and "1826" within a simple wreath, reflecting neoclassical influences