Kreuzer - Franz Joseph Supersaxo

Historical Context: This Kreuzer was issued under Franz Joseph Supersaxo, Prince-Bishop of Sion, whose episcopate spanned 1708 to 1722. During this early 18th-century period, the Bishopric of Sion, an ecclesiastical principality within the Holy Roman Empire and an associated state of the Swiss Confederacy, wielded significant temporal power. Supersaxo, from a prominent local family, navigated complex political currents. This billon Kreuzer served as essential currency for daily transactions, reflecting the local economy's reliance on small change for trade and agriculture.

Artistry: The engraver for this issue remains largely unrecorded, typical for provincial mints producing utilitarian coinage. The stylistic school leans towards a restrained late Baroque aesthetic, prioritizing legibility and heraldic clarity. The obverse likely features the Prince-Bishop’s coat of arms, often surmounted by a mitre and crozier, signifying his dual temporal and spiritual authority. The reverse invariably displays a prominent cross, frequently accompanied by the mintmark or date, embodying the principality's religious foundation.

Technical/Grading: For this billon Kreuzer, key high-points susceptible to wear include the central armorial bearings, raised details of the mitre or crozier, and the central intersections of the reverse cross. Technical strike qualities often present challenges: billon alloys, being less ductile, frequently result in weak strikes, particularly on peripheral legends. Off-center strikes, planchet irregularities, and minor laminations are common, impacting overall sharpness. The small 18mm flan and light 0.94g weight contribute to variability in strike precision and surface preservation.