Regional coins through changing times

Money has been in circulation in Basel for more than two thousand years. Already during the Celtic period Basel stood at the crossroads of different currency zones. Following an extensive money-based economy under Roman rule came a coin-rare period.

Shortly after 900 Basel began striking its own silver pennies. Minting really thrived for the first time under the rule of the bishops from the 11th century on. Due to the rich yield of silver in the Breisgau area, the city presided over one of the most important mints in the region. In 1373 the Basel citizenry obtained the right of coinage and customs from its local bishop.

Up to the 14th century, the Basel mint only struck silver pennies, followed later by higher denominations such as plapparts, groats («groschen») and talers. The last cantonal coins were issued in 1826. The first federal coins were struck only from 1850 on.