Description
Old Swiss Confederacy, the Canton of Bern, Silver Thaler (29.33g, 40mm), 1796, Bern city Mint. Obverse: Shield of Arms of the Canton of Bern surmounted by Crown, legend surrounds, “RESPUBLICA BERNENSIS”. Reverse: Swiss man stands forward, head turned to the right, wearing ruff and simple doublet and breeches and hat with two large plumes, resting left hand on hip and right on large grounded sword with elaborate cross-guard, date below, legend surrounds, “DOMINUS PROVIDEBIT”. Davenport-1759; KM-149. Awash with a bold, deep cabinet grey with underlying brilliance at every rotation, light hairlines and minor contact marks and worn over high points, a lovely piece from Bern, good Very Fine.
The obverse Latin legend reads “rēspūblica Bernensis” with an English translation of “Republic of Bern”, The reverse Latin legend reads “Dominus prōvidēbit”, with an English translation of “The lord will provide”.