Basel Kreuzer

The Basel Kreuzer, a copper coin from the Basel canton, impresses with its remarkable longevity—minted continuously from 1500 to 1798, it outlasted most European monarchies of the era.

This coin typically featured the Basel coat of arms on one side, including a bishop's crozier and mitre, symbols that underscored the city's ecclesiastical ties. Struck on simple copper planchets, it served as small change for everyday transactions, from market stalls to tavern tabs. Variations in weight and diameter occurred over the centuries, reflecting shifts in alloy availability and minting techniques, though records for exact compositions are spotty after the 1600s.

I've lost count of how many Kreuzers I've examined; they're about as elusive as a dry day in Basel.

As for mintage figures, much was likely destroyed in local fires or wars, so precise numbers remain unknown.