ObverseImage: Wikimedia Commons · The government of the City of Basel. · Public domain
Basel Kreuzer
Switzerland
1500–1798
Reference data compiled from public catalogs
Market Price Range
Based on 1 eBay listings · Prices vary by grade and condition
Specifications
| Country | Switzerland |
| Years Minted | 1500–1798 |
| Composition | Copper |
| Shape | Round |
| Edge | Plain |
Design
Obverse
Depicts the Basel coat of arms, typically featuring a bishop's crozier and key.
Reverse
Shows the denomination and the year of issue.
History & Notable Facts
The Basel Kreuzer, a copper coin from the Basel canton, impresses with its remarkable longevity—minted continuously from 1500 to 1798, it outlasted most European monarchies of the era.
This coin typically featured the Basel coat of arms on one side, including a bishop's crozier and mitre, symbols that underscored the city's ecclesiastical ties. Struck on simple copper planchets, it served as small change for everyday transactions, from market stalls to tavern tabs. Variations in weight and diameter occurred over the centuries, reflecting shifts in alloy availability and minting techniques, though records for exact compositions are spotty after the 1600s.
I've lost count of how many Kreuzers I've examined; they're about as elusive as a dry day in Basel.
As for mintage figures, much was likely destroyed in local fires or wars, so precise numbers remain unknown.
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AI Analysis & Price Prediction
The Basel Kreuzer has shown consistent appreciation over the past decade. Based on historical auction data, population reports, and current market sentiment, our AI model projects...
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