Sale: Triton X, Lot: 949. Estimate $300.  Closing Date: Monday, 8 January 2007.  Sold For $275. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SWITZERLAND, St. Gallen. AR 1/2 Dicken (3 Batzen) Klippe (3.78 g, 12h). Dated 1622. MO : NO : CIVI : SANGALLENSIS, Bear, wearing collar, walking left on hind legs within pearl border; • 1622 • in exergue / VNI (rosette) SOLI (rosette) DEO (rosette) GLORIA, double eagle; (rosette) 3 (rosette) below. Divo & Tobler 1405g; HMZ 732; KM 56. VF, some adjustment marks.

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.