Also 7 batte, 8 bat. [Ger. batz, batze; prob. taken as a plural, bats, whence as sing. bat 17–18th c.] A small coin worth four kreuzers in Switzerland and South Germany; originally having as device the bear of Berne, where it was first coined.
1625. trans. Gonsalvio’s Sp. Inquis., 73. Halfe a riall … is as much as a dutch batte, and is worth … 3 pence sterling.
1753. Chambers, Cycl. Supp., Bat, in commerce, a small base silver coin, current in divers parts of Germany and Switzerland at different prices.
1753. Hanway, Trav. (1762), I. VII. xciv. 434. The currency of such a coin as their bats and driers must be detrimental.
1756. Nugent, Gr. Tour, II. 283. In Franconia, you meet with batzes, eighteen of which make a dollar.
