Schilling

Historical Context: This Schilling was issued by the Talschaft of Uri, a founding canton of the Old Swiss Confederacy, from 1623 to 1641. This era coincided with the tumultuous Thirty Years' War, though Switzerland maintained neutrality. As a Catholic and conservative canton, Uri exercised significant autonomy, including minting its own coinage. The production of this billon Schilling reflects the necessity for local currency to facilitate daily commerce, underscoring Uri's economic self-sufficiency and sovereign rights.

Artistry: While the specific engraver for this modest billon issue remains unrecorded, the coin’s design adheres to early Baroque stylistic conventions, emphasizing clear heraldry over elaborate ornamentation. The obverse typically features the iconic bull's head (Urochs), the cantonal arms of Uri, rendered with robust simplicity. The reverse commonly displays the denomination, date, or a cross, reflecting the canton's strong Catholic identity. Artistry prioritizes legibility and symbolic clarity, consistent with Swiss cantonal minting traditions.

Technical/Grading: Struck on a billon flan measuring 20 millimeters and weighing 1.27 grams, this Schilling often exhibits characteristic strike imperfections common to base metal coinage of the period. High-points prone to wear include the horns and forehead of the bull's head, and central elements of any cross or lettering. Collectors should seek a strong, centered strike and minimal evidence of planchet flaws or corrosion, frequent with billon alloys. A well-preserved example will show crisp detail in the heraldic devices and legible inscriptions.