schutzenfester

Very nice medal but should it not be the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands 1779 because it predates the Batavian Republic(proclaimed1795) by 16 years? Unless the medal was struck that much later than its date.

 

Here is an almost unique medal(I only know of one other) which happens to mention the Batavian Republic.

 

 

 

 

That is a nice medal above and yes, I was incorrect. It is strange because the first picture I finished I notated as the Dutch Republic or The Seven United Netherlands and then I did some additional reading and I did a new picture notated as Batavian Republic. I must have confused the date somehow being that my first notation was correct. I debated just placing Netherlands 1779 but I wanted to be accurate...

I recently obtained this shooting medal awarded at the Amsterdam Rifle Club in 1779. I really liked the engraving on the medal. The condition is wonderful considering its age. It has a nice patina and the subject matter is appropriate.

Country: Netherlands, 1779
Shooting medal from the Amsterdam Rifle Club
Metal: Silver
Size: 33mm
Engraver: H. DE. Meyer, Dutch medalist of the second half of the eighteenth century. "His Prize medal for the Amsterdam Rifle Club is signed D. Meyer F." (1907 Spink and Sons; Numismatic Circular and Cataloge of Coins, Volume 15)

As mentioned before, your Dad is a fine man who helped me when I was starting out in this field about 10 years ago. He is fair and honest and has always had time to help me out with any questions that I had. You are very lucky to have such a role model.

Thank you for the kind words regarding my Dad!

I have always looked up to him and respect him immensely. He has always graded his inventory very conservatively which in my humble opinion has in turn benefited his/our customers. He continues to teach me everyday in more things than just schützenfest and I am very proud to be his son!

Very very nice catch, Rod! I think I've seen you show off the silver counterparts before. I recognize the design.

 

Didn't know this was a family affair. How big is your dad's role?

His role is and was huge! Yes, I can thank my Dad for getting me interested in schützenfest medals Including a wealth of knowledge. He has been collecting since 1961 or so and because of this, I was around schützenfest medals, cups, watches, and other memorabilia my entire life. I began seriously collecting just after high school about 35 years ago. My Dad and I still collect and we collaborate several times a week regarding all things schützenfest. We both enjoy the hobby as much as ever!

 

1909 Winterthur, canton Zürich

R1801c / M1079

Cantonal Shoot

BR

23 mm

Engraver: Hans Frei, Basel

Mintage: unknown

RR

While I personally have handled at least 4 of the silver counterparts with a recorded mintage of 78, and my Dad even a few more, this is the first time either of us has seen this medal in bronze other than listed in a catalog such as Ricther and Martin. The opportunity was there so I snapped it up. Being the only one I have ever seen, I was also lucky enough that it is in excellent condition. Needless to say, I am extremely happy to get it.

1900 Zofingen, canton Aargau
R27a / M23
Mittelschweizerisches (Central Swiss Shoot)
AR
38 mm
Engraver: Franz Homberg, Bern

Mintage: 330 pieces
R

 

I was very pleased to get this rare medal in such nice condition. Only 330 pieces minted with very nice engraving on both sides!

 

Although you can't tell by the picture and because I did not originally state this, I thought I could pass along that another positive about the Manila shooting medal, other than its rarity and condition, is that is has almost proof-like surfaces, a very nice example of this medal. Needless to say, I am very happy to have it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More beautiful stuff.

Thanks Art

 

I think one could say that my passion for this hobby became an obsession quite a few years ago. I just can't get enough!

Speaking of Swiss schützenfest medals from other countries I thought I would show everyone a prime and rare example of a schützenfest medal from the Swiss enclave in Mariquina, Philippines. These are not often seen and I was lucky enough to find and acquire this excellent example.

One year (1895) Manila, Philippines

R2107a

Sociedad de Tiro de Mariquina

AR

38 mm

Ricther Note: It is a medal of the Swiss Society of Mariquina. It also should be noted that this medal has a rectangular loop that is not shown, but only so I could present in my normal medal template. The loop is in perfect condition but if I would have kept it in the picture the overall quality of the presentation would have been inferior.

RR

 

Thanks! All this information helps immensely.

 

As if looking for Swiss shooting medals from Switzerland isn't enough, I have also been interested in Swiss shooting medals from other countries. Of the ones I have been seeing from South America and the Philippines, the general condition of the medals are often average at best. Must be a result of the humid conditions and lack of proper storage in those areas of the world.

 

When you do come across Swiss shooting medals that are not in Richter's book, do you send pics to his attention so he can possibly include it in his updated book or do you think he's pretty much aware of everything out there?

 

At this time I do not send Jürg Richter pictures of medals I have picked up that are not in his catalog. Many of the plate specimens in Ricther's catalog are from either my Father's collection or mine since Jürg wanted to make his catalog as complete as possible while utilizing as many sources as he could. It may not hurt sending him pictures of medals that are not listed but at this time I do not believe Ricther plans to update his catalog other than a price guide update. Richter is certainly aware of a lot of schützenfest medals "out there" but at the same time he is certainly not aware of many.

 

My Dad started collecting the year I was born, 53 years ago, I started seriously collecting in 1980, 35 years ago, and we still come across medals we are not aware of and/or have never seen. That is one of the many aspects of collecting Swiss Schützenfest medals, cups, and memorabilia that has kept us collecting for so many years. We enjoy the hobby as much or more than ever!

Wish I could photograph as well as some of the other forum members here. I can't so I will use the seller's pics in asking for additional information on this shooting medal that was just received.

 

R2091(sim).jpg

 

This medal is identical to the one in Richter's book as R2091 but instead of being 39mm bronze, it is in 29mm silver with a loop. Richter calls his medal very rare (RR) with connections to Argentina. Does anyone have additional information on this medal and also the association of Swiss shooting with Argentina?

 

Thanks and sorry for the quality of the pic.

 

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Reply-

 

There are many Swiss medals that are not in Richter's catalog. His catalog covers as much as he could find through sources such as auctions, museums, collections etc. The fact that you have the silver counter-part of the bronze piece is not surprising and the fact that it is 29mm instead of 39mm is somewhat typical, since occasionally a silver medal is smaller than the bronze for obvious reasons. If Richter is aware of a medal but was unable to obtain a picture then he usually stated such.

 

I have a few Argentine medals that are not in Richter's book that are specifically Swiss or from a Swiss enclave thus the "Sociedad de Suizo" Although I have no specific data in the case of this medal, I would certainly classify it as RR, the same as the bronze although there are times that the bronze example of a medal is more rare than the silver. But due to the fact that Richter does not list the silver one, and although I have seen a couple over the years, I would consider it RR. The last one had a chance to purchase was not in decent enough condition to consider.

 

I hope my explanation helps somewhat...

1932 Basel, canton Basel

R151c / M100

Young Shooting Competition

Copper

35mm

Engraver: H. Wirz, Basel / Huguenin, Le Locle

RR

This medal is very difficult to find, let alone in the condition of this example!

Richter Note: Since the vintage was engraved, it is possible that different dates exist. Previously known are: 1931, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1037.1938, and 193(blank).

 

 

You can see by looking closely that the last digit of the year has been added as required, thus the explanation of different dates, specifically one without the final digit. Although I have not seen other examples other than the one in Richter''s catalog, it appears that the medals had 193 already engraved as part of the original minting and then the final digit engraved as required after awarded.

 

 

What is the story behind the beehive structure?

 

Neuchatel also made another shooting award in the form of a beehive for their 1948 Centennial Cantonal Shoot. This piece is made of pewter. Below is a picture of it next to the 1913 silver beehive. The pewter piece is made by PEKA-Paul Kramer.

 

 

What is the story behind the beehive structure?

Neuchatel was and is known for its honey. It was an important part of thier economy, important enough to depict on the shooting medal I recently posted and was subsequently questioned about the presence of the beehive on the obverse. I also have a silver piece from the 1913 La Chaux de Fonds Cantonal Schützenfest that was a shooting award. It is pictured below for your reference. It is .800 silver with a gold wash interior.

 

 

 

1912 Herzogenbuchsee, canton Bern
R272aa / M174
Cantonal Shoot
AR
24mm

Engraver: Linck / Holy Freres, St. Imier
H

In original case of issue.

 

1954 Medal of Honor, Societe Suisse des Carabiniers, Lausanne
R1959a / M1132
SSC
AR
32 mm

Engraver: R. Kissling, Wolfwil / G. Hantz, Geneve / Paul Kramer, Neuenburg / Huguenin, Le Locle
R

In original case of issue.

 

Note: Another using Photoshop Elements

1913 La Chaux de Fonds, canton Neuchatel

R995b / M547a

Cantonal Shoot

AR

26 mm

Engraver: Jean David Hirschy, La Chaux de Fonds / AUREA

Common

 

With this medal, I used Photoshop Elements. The differences are subtle compared to my other presentation but I am interested if you think the overall image is superior to the others I have done. The main difference is the reflection and how it fades. Please let me know what you think.

 

Thanks!

Doing some research, I found this entry in a Token catalog written in German. I don't believe it identifies it anymore than you already know but I found it interesting that it was in this German language catalog.


The Book:

 

bd. Enthält die beschreibung englischer token, jettone und zeichen

By Josef Neumann

 

"Av. Wm READ CROWN TAVERN, behind opposite CHERRY STREET lm circle a bagatelle table with stick and balls. Rev. A crown, arching above CHECK, THREE PENCE below likewise Randirt. Gr. 15th"

 

The section of the book the Wm Read Crown Tavern is in is the "Unbestimmte" section (Indeterminate) which I believe means that the location (area) the tavern was in could not be not identified. I see throughout the book that the other sections and tavern are identified with the area they were in such as Birmingham, Worcestershire, Lancashire, etc.

 

 

The book was published in Prague 1865.

 

Below is the translated forward by the author-

 

The British peninsula with its subordinate states provides us numismatic relationship a specialty, such as we find in any other country. These are the sons private coins so many cities and Per, then mark different designation (token) which namely quite often occurred in the 17th century and again fabricirt in recent times in fairly large numbers. These tokens are in a) earlier 17th centuries, eingetheilt called Trademen's tokens and Ь) in recent 18th and 19th centuries, known as Provincial tokens. Regarding the former, as described in the works of B o y n e is a very complete and that 9500 piece, andthis volume is limited merely to Be scription of the newer token (about 6000 pieces), since the inclusion of the elderly, because of the great rarity of them, here lands less interested by, and упе because of the difficulty of translation of the work of Во and from multiple other causes is not located in the plan of this work. When the present specification, the most possible full-employment pleased this has the numismatic audience to friend union Narrative of Dr. W. Freude nth al to thank in London, which the author has found the description of his token Samm treatment for grabs.

Thanks Art!

 

I beleive you did understand my question and since I don't start too many threads you were correct in your assumption that I was inquiring about placing a tag on a post.

 

Not sure how these tags help other than what I stated above but perhaps I will use in the future.

 

Thanks and Happy New Year!

I have recently seen a couple of posts with a "tag" in the subject line. I guess this is similar to placing keywords on a web site or an eBay auction so more people can find when searching.

Am I correct in my asunmption and if so how does one place one of this in a post?

Thanks ahead of time for the assistance.

1925 Rehalp, canton Zürich

R1826a / M1098

Rehalp Shoot

AR

30 X 37 mm

Mintage: 31 pieces

RRR

I have never seen this in a collection nor ever seen it offered for sale. I recently stumbled upon this fantastic medal and was able to pick it up. Very rare with 31 examples per Jürg Richter and with a rarity of RRR.

In his catalog, Richter shows two types, both RRR, one with a mintage of 31 pieces at 30 X 37 mm (my example shown here) and the other being 37 X 45 mm and with no mintage noted.

Needless to say, I am very happy and fortunate to add this 1925 Zürich Rehalpschiessen medal to my collection.

I was unable to post the medal in my normal fashion. Being oval shaped with the loop makes it very difficult to place within my template. I tried but the final result was inferior to what you see below.

 

 

 

Hello and welcome to the forum!

 

First let me say that the slabbed schützenfest medals for sale on the bay are listed at crazy high prices and the seller is hoping to find either someone who has money to burn or someone with little knowledge in the hobby. With a little work anyone can find raw medals being sold by very reputable dealers for far less asking prices. A certified slabbed medal is not worth that much more just because it is slabbed (IMHO).

 

Second, yes, medals have become harder to acquire. When you consider the low mintage quantities of Swiss shooting medals and the current demand for them compared to twenty years ago, a collector can understand why the prices are increasing and the available medals are dwindling. I would say about ten years ago my customers' desire for common medals ceased, primarily due to the fact that they had most of the common medals and it was difficult to sell any even at very modest to no profit prices. I was able to obtain the common medals but made the decision not to purchase them because it was so difficult to sell them. The last few years I have had a difficult time selling rare medals because there are so many new collectors in the field and they are looking for common medals and/or looking for specific types. Funny how things go full circle.

 

Recently, slabbed medals have become hotter than ever although I see many medals graded very liberally and sometimes incorrectly. For example, I have seen a NGC grade of Proof when there were no Schützenfest medals struck with proof dies. There are modern shooting thalers in proof but not 19th and early 20th century shooting medals.

 

While Richter's catalog is the bible of Swiss shooting medals, there are many inaccuracies in the book yet many people do not know this due to the obscurity of information. Richter's prices were also quite a bit higher than market when it was first published. It took several years before the average realized auction price was even 80-85% of his catalog prices. They have just recently began to sell at his published prices and many sellers are taking advantage of the new "market price" and asking this and quite often asking more than his the prices in his catalog. Because of this, I would not be surprised if an updated price supplement is in the future. These prices are great for the hobby (more the dealers than the buyers) but overall when you think of the beauty, artistry of engraving, and rarity due to such low average mintage plus the average condition of many medals, the current market prices are quite reasonable compared to coins.

 

I don't think it will get better in terms of supply but hopefully with more and more collectors involved in the hobby, more people will become more educated about the medals, jetons, mintages, rarity etc.

 

If I can help anyone in any way, please do not hesitate to ask. This forum is a great way to pass along knowledge with the written word as well as with pictures.

 

 

Hi Swiss Shooting Medal Collectors,

 

Is it just me or is it getting very difficult to find the scarcer issues of Swiss shooting medals? I've been very fortunate in being able to add to my collection periodically since 2005 but for the last year or so, things have dried up considerably. Even major Swiss dealers overseas have had trouble stocking anything other than the most common of issues and prospects are even getting slim with foreign auctions.

 

And speaking of common issues, there are many people out there paying some very high prices for these, even in average condition. Also, the slabbed ones have extremely high asking prices on eBay. I am sure that most aren't selling at those prices but some actually do! Are the values really getting that high? It will be interesting if and when Richter comes out with either a current value sheet or newer volume of his book.

Nice looking token.

No date/one year

R1989a

Swiss Revolver and Pistol Shoot

Silver

45 mm
Engraver: Huguenin, Le Locle
R

Note that this specific medal was awarded to a woman; Lilly Haas.

 

 

 

 

Great looking medal. As always, your photography is superb

 

Thanks Art! I wanted to show everyone that even the modern shooting medals have a certain amount of artistic merit.