271, Lot: 926. Estimate $100. Sold for $262. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SWITZERLAND, Kanton St. Gallen. St. Gallen. AR Taler (40mm, 27.15 g, 12h). Dated 1621. Bear, wearing collar with jewels, walking left on hind leg / Crowned double-headed eagle. HMZ 2-897; Coraggioni pl. XXX, 15 var. (date); Davenport 4677. Near VF, toned.

From the HLT Collection.

The origin of the bear as a symbol of St. Gallen comes from legend. According to folklore, when the Irish missionary Gallus decided to build a monastery near the river Steinach around AD 600, he encountered a hungry bear. Gallus fed the bear some bread, and, in return, the bear helped him gather wood for the building. In recognition of its importance in the founding of St. Gallen, the bear became a symbol of the town.