SWITZERLAND. Bern, Stadt. Sechzehnerpfennig (Silver, 57 mm, 90.81 g, 12 h), by J. C. Mörikofer and J. Dassier. No date (after 1780). RESPUBLICA BERNENSIS• Bear standing left, head right, wearing belt and armor, holding sword surmounted by liberty cap in his right paw and resting his left on shield; arms and cannons at feet; in exergue, signature L•C•MK•F•.
Rev. FELICITAS - REPUBLICÆ• Religion standing facing, holding fasces in her left hand and sword and scepter in her right; to left, book inscribed LEGES / FUNDAMENT set on garlanded plinth; to lower left, stark standing right; to lower right, owl standing facing; to right of owl, small signature I•DASSI / F; in exergue, SENATUS ET SEDECIM / VIRI REIPUBLICÆ / •BERNENSIS•. SM 633. Wunderly 1360. Beautifully toned. A few light scratches
, otherwise, about extremely fine.
From the collection of a Swiss scholar, formed over the past thirty years.
The impressive Sechzehnerpfennige were handed out since 1667 in Bern each year on Holy Thursday to the Sechzehnerausschuß des Großen Rats (Committee of Sixteen of the Grand Council). The dies of these impressive medals were crafted by the best artists of their time. With regards to this example, these artists were Johann Caspar Mörikofer (1733-1803) and the famous Genevan medalist, Jean Dassier (1676-1763).
