SWITZERLAND. Zürich. Halbe Goldkrone no date (circa 1560) (Gold, 21 mm, 1.64 g, 12 h), double-headed eagle with crown. •RESPVBLICA•TIGVRINA.✱ Crowned double-headed eagle with coat of arms on breast. Rev. .DOMINE•SERVA•NOS.IN.PACE✱ Ornated cross. Friedberg 430. HMZ 2-1120a. Hürlimann 271. Wunderly 54. Very rare. About extremely fine.

These Goldkronen were introduced to meet Zurich’s growing 16th-century demand for gold coinage that could circulate widely in international trade. Rather than relying on the traditional medieval gold gulden, the city created the full and half Goldkronen, with dies engraved by none other than the renowned die engraver Jakob Stampfer (1505/6-1579)