(sold for $178.0)

1865, Switzerland, Schaffhausen (Canton). Large Silver Shooting Thaler (5 Francs) Coin.

Mint Year: 1865 Mintage: 10.000 pcs. Designer: Antoine Bovy Denomination: 5 Francs ("Shooting Thaler") References: Davenport 382, HMZ  2-1343f, KM-XS8. R! Condition: Scattered contact-marks (bag-marks from circulation), otherwise a nice XF! Material: Silver (.835) Weight: 24.94gm Diameter: 37mm

Obverse: Draped and mailed figure of Helvetia, wearing a turreted crown (as Tyche), seated right holding shield and laurel wreath and sword between legs. A young boy ("Tellknabe") standing before her, holding a pierced apple on a shooter´s arrow in raised left hand. City walls in the background.   Comment: Engraver´s signature (A.BOVY) at 4 o'clock! Reverse: Arms of Schaffhausen superimposed upon Swiss cross within quatrilobe. Legend: EIDGENÖSSISCHES SCHÜTZENFEST IN SCHAFFHAUSEN 1865 – 5 Fr. Translated: "Federal shooting festival in Schaffhausen 1865 – 5 francs"

Schaffhausen was a city state in the Middle Ages, documented to have struck its own coins starting in 1045. For a time it was under Habsburg domination, but regained its independence in 1415. It allied itself with Zurich in 1457, and became a full member of the Swiss Confederation in 1501. The first railroad came to Schaffhausen in 1857.