St. Gallen Batzen

The St. Gallen Batzen's most striking feature is its longevity in circulation, minted continuously for over two centuries without significant redesign, a rarity in an era of frequent monetary reforms.

This copper coin, produced in the Swiss canton of St. Gallen, typically weighed between 2 and 3 grams and featured the city's coat of arms on one side, often paired with a simple cross on the reverse. Variations existed, but records from the period are spotty; we know some were struck using recycled metals from worn-out tools or foreign coins, though exact sources remain unclear. Mintage figures for most years are lost, likely destroyed in local archives over time.

As for its value, the Batzen equated roughly to four kreuzers, making it the workhorse of everyday transactions. The design's simplicity meant it was easy to produce, even if that led to occasional wear that frustrated handlers like me.

Counterfeits weren't uncommon, a testament to its popularity. Collectors might dismiss it as mundane, but that's their oversight.