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Thaler Klippe, 1½ thaler weight

Issuer City of Zürich
Year 1559
Type Non-circulating coin
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Reverse description The central device features the quartered coat of arms of Zürich — the diagonal blue and white bicolor shield — enclosed within an ornamental border. Arranged symmetrically around this central shield are nine smaller escutcheons bearing the arms of the subject territories and bailiwicks under Zürich's jurisdiction: Kyburg, Grüningen, Regensberg, Eglisau, Greifensee, Andelfingen, Knonau, Wädenswil, and Laufen. The arrangement of the surrounding shields fills the square klippe flan in a heraldically ordered composition. The patterned field echoes the diaper decoration of the obverse. A brief devotional legend runs along the border.
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Reverse lettering DNE SERVA NOS IN PAC ·
(Translation: Latin (unabridged): Domine conserva nos in pace English: Lord, keep us in peace)
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Additional information

Klippe thalers of this type were struck not for commerce but for presentation — gifts to visiting dignitaries, council members, or as diplomatic tokens during the fractious years of the Swiss Reformation's political consolidation. Zürich's mint produced square-flan issues in multiple weight standards precisely because the recipient's rank dictated the piece received. At 1½ thaler weight, this example sits at a politically meaningful increment, heavy enough to signal serious esteem.

The Winter Kl#4c designation places this among a small, closely documented group. 1559 examples at this weight are among the scarcer survivors.

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