Schilling

Historical Context: The 1622 Schilling from the Talschaft of Uri signifies the autonomous coinage of a founding canton within the Old Swiss Confederacy. In the early 17th century, Uri, a Catholic and rural canton, exercised its sovereign right to mint currency for local commerce. This period, preceding the full impact of the Thirty Years' War, saw cantons like Uri maintaining independent economic administration. This billon Schilling, a practical denomination, highlights Uri's distinct role within the decentralized confederate structure.

Artistry: The design of this 1622 Schilling, typical for smaller cantonal issues, reflects a utilitarian late Renaissance or early Baroque aesthetic, prioritizing clear identification. No specific engraver is recorded for such common billon issues. The obverse would traditionally feature the Uri bull, the canton's heraldic animal. The reverse commonly displayed a cross, often a Klippenkreuz, surrounded by the date and cantonal mottoes in Latin. The small 18mm flan size necessitated a concise and robust design.

Technical/Grading: As a billon coin of modest size (18mm) and weight (0.81g), the 1622 Uri Schilling typically exhibits characteristics common to such issues. High-points prone to wear include the head and horns of the Uri bull, central elements of the cross, and highest relief points of the lettering. Technical strike quality often varies, with minor off-centring, areas of weakness (especially at the rim), and planchet imperfections being common. Overall sharpness is frequently compromised due to the billon alloy and the period's striking methods.