Shilling

Historical Context: This silver Shilling, issued by the City of Glarus between 1610 and 1617, signifies the canton's evolving autonomy within the Old Swiss Confederacy. Glarus, a biconfessional canton, exercised its sovereign right to mint coinage, affirming its economic independence and political standing. The early 17th century was a period of relative stability for Glarus, navigating internal Swiss dynamics and broader European tensions preceding the Thirty Years' War. Such fractional coins were crucial for daily local commerce.

Artistry: The artistry of this Glarus Shilling (HMZ 1#2-371a) reflects the late Renaissance and early Baroque stylistic trends prevalent in Swiss cantonal mints. While a specific engraver is unrecorded, the execution points to a local master. The typical design features the canton's patron, Saint Fridolin, often standing on the obverse. The reverse commonly displays the Glarus coat of arms or a cruciform motif, encircled by Latin legends identifying the issuing authority.

Technical/Grading: Produced using early 17th-century minting techniques, likely a screw press, these Shillings display characteristic strike variations. High points for assessing wear and strike quality include Saint Fridolin's facial features, staff, and vestment details, or the raised elements of the heraldic shield. Common technical observations encompass slight off-centering, uneven planchet thickness, and occasional weakness in the strike, particularly on outer legends. Silver purity was generally consistent for the period.