Republic of Zurich, 1/2 Taler 1768

The 18th century brought the triumph of early capitalist economics to Switzerland; Zurich experienced a considerable economic boom from the textile industry. Trades and burgeoning commerce made the city into an important economic centre. Nonetheless, its citizens continued to follow an unpretentious, thrifty lifestyle: the die of this halbtaler is from an earlier year – the number eight in the date has been altered from a seven.