An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Batzen

by Friedrich Kluge

Batzen, m., ‘a coin’ (about a penny), from MidHG. batze, m., ‘small coin of the town of Bern with the Bernese coat of arms, a bear’ (MidHG. betz, ModHG. Bätz, Petz); comp. Kreuzer, Rappen. Hence Ital. bezzo, ‘money.’