Zug Batzen

The Zug Batzen's most striking feature is its frequent use of recycled copper planchets, often sourced from worn-out foreign coins, which gave each piece a distinctly uneven edge and weight. This practical recycling wasn't about thrift alone; it reflected the canton's need to stretch limited resources during turbulent times. Swiss cantons like Zug minted these coins sporadically from 1500 to 1798, with designs typically showing a shield on one side and a cross on the other, though exact variations remain unclear for many years.

We don't know the precise mintage figures—records from that era are scarce, likely lost to fires or wars. What is clear is that the Batzen served as a workhorse for everyday transactions in Zug, circulating alongside other cantonal currencies. Its value fluctuated with silver prices, making it less reliable than you'd hope. I've handled hundreds over the years; they're sturdy, if a bit monotonous.