World Coins, Switzerland, Chur abbey, Joseph Benedict von Rost (bishop 1728-1754), 8 ducats, 1747, cloaked bust r., rev. ornate central shield of arms surmounted by mitre, wt. 27.54gms. (Fr.218), certified and graded by NGC as Mint State 60, highly lustrous and well detailed, very rare (R5) and the only year of issue for this elegant type coin
Chur in eastern Switzerland, now the capital of canton Graubunden, has existed since Roman times and has been the seat of dozens of Catholic bishops since the early Middle Ages. It is believed that the first bishop was in fact Saint Lucius, an obscure king of England who died at Chur about the year AD 176. Over time, the bishops acquired considerable temporal or civic power until the town became part of the Holy Roman Empire, and by the 12th century its bishops were selected in turn by either the emperor or the pope. Chur remains a diocese to this day, overseen by a bishop.
($25000-30000)