Aargau Batzen

The Aargau Batzen's most striking feature is its use of a simple cross design, which symbolized the canton's independence amid Switzerland's patchwork of minting authorities.

This copper coin, minted in Aargau from 1700 to 1798, varied in weight and diameter due to inconsistent production methods. Some pieces show evidence of hand-hammering, a technique that left distinctive flaws. We know the metal came from local sources, but exact compositions remain unclear—assay records from that era are scarce.

Batzen served as small change for daily transactions, from market stalls to tavern tabs. They weren't rare then, though survivors today depend on soil conditions and hoarding habits. Mintage figures? Lost to time, likely in one of Europe's many archival mishaps.

Plenty of myths claim these coins warded off evil, but that's nonsense—pure copper doesn't repel spirits any more than it does tarnish.