The Largest Gold Coin of 16th-Century Switzerland

Lucerne – A Leading Force for the Catholic Cause in the Post-Reformation Era

In 1557, the largest Swiss gold coin of the 16th century was created. It was commissioned by the city of Lucerne, which was at the height of its power at the time. Having become the leading center of the Catholic cantons, Lucerne had grown rich through the mercenary trade. The state treasury was filled with royal funds obtained in exchange for permission to recruit on Lucerne’s territory. Substantial pensions flowed into the private coffers of the city’s elite, who provided the mercenary troops’ commanders. Following the Reformation, Lucerne also used its wealth to establish itself as the leading champion of the Catholic cause.

Saint Leodegar

This included Lucerne continuing to feature the depiction of Saint Leodegar on its coins. His martyrdom is also depicted on this 20-fold gold Gulden, which was struck with the dies of the 1557 Taler.

Leodegar’s biography is well documented. Born around 616 in the Merovingian realm, he was the son of a powerful noble family. His uncle had risen to become Bishop of Poitiers and was thus able to secure a high ecclesiastical office for his nephew. This was common practice in the Middle Ages. The nobility divided church offices amongst themselves; a particular spiritual calling played no part in this.

In 659, Queen Balthild appointed Leodegar as the bishop of Autun. He would go on to play a pivotal role in the history of the Western Church. It was at his instigation that the Council of Autun was convened, which resulted in the banning of Irish monasticism in favor of the monastic rule of St. Benedict. The Benedictines celebrated him for this. However, this decision was highly political: Irish monasticism granted the abbot supreme authority over a monastery, whereas the Benedictine rule granted it to the bishop.

Leodegar was therefore primarily concerned with power politics. Today, we picture him as a proud nobleman who used his ecclesiastical office to interfere in imperial politics. His opponent was Ebroin. He was the head of the administration of Neustria and sought to increase the influence of the Merovingian central authority. This did not sit well with the local nobility. Military clashes ensued under the command of Leodegar. The latter was defeated and – as was the custom at the time – Ebroin had him mutilated and put to death on October 2, 679.

Over time, legend transformed Leodegar into a valiant champion of church reform, a martyr and a saint. In churches, he is depicted with a drill, the symbol of his blinding.

How Saint Leodegar Came to Lucerne

Initially, the veneration of Leodegar was a local phenomenon, centered primarily in Benedictine monasteries. Murbach Abbey, for example, was founded around 727 and chose Leodegar as its patron saint. After acquiring extensive estates in the Lucerne area, Murbach established a provostry there with a small church, now known as the Church of Saint Leodegar. The saint’s feast day is still celebrated here on October 2. Everyone in Lucerne has the day off on this date.

Rarity and Condition

Multiple gold coins from the 16th century are rare. Only a few of them have survived to this day. A 20-Gulden gold coin with a weight of 65.39 g is a unique find. And the specimen offered by SINCONA is probably the only one in private hands. The fact that it is also in magnificent condition is extremely fortunate, as this is something that is rarely seen in 16th-century coins!