Riga (16)21 solidus
This specimen was lot 11268 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice Online Auction (Costa Mesa, CA, February 2025), where it sold for €65 (about US$68). The catalog description[1] noted, "SWEDEN. Solidus (Schilling), 1621. Riga Mint. Gustav II Adolf. NGC AU Details--Environmental Damage. Off center on reverse. From the L. E. Bruun Collection. Ex. P. Smidt Collection (Copenhagen-1870/1874) Lot # 107." Riga, today the capital of Latvia, has long been an important port in the Baltic Sea. Gustavus Adolphus occupied it in 1621, when this coin was issued, and annexed it in 1629. The Swedes held it until forced to cede it to Peter the Great of Russia in 1721. This coin, struck 1621-34 and undated, was worth 1/48 thaler. Another solidus (KM 5) was struck for Sigismund of Poland 1601-20.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specifications: 0.56 g, billon, 15 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-9; Delzanno-424; SB-14; Bruun-11779.
- Bjorne Ahlström, Yngve Almer and Bengt Hemmingson, Sveriges Mynt, 1521-1977, the Coinage of Sweden. Stockholm: Numismatika Bokforlaget AB, 1976.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- Delzanno, Roberto, Myntårsboken 2022, Sveriges Mynt 995-2021, 1:a upplagen, Stockholm, 2021.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, February 2025 World Collectors Choice Online Auction - Ancients, World Coins & World Paper Money, David B. Simpson Medals & World Coins Part 1, Selections from the Richard Margolis Collection, and Selections from the L. E. Bruun Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2025.
Link to:
- Livonia (16)18 solidus, Riga mint, Sigismund
- Riga (16)20 solidus, Sigismund III
- Riga 1620 3 polker, Sigismund
- Riga (16)21 schilling, Sigismund
- Poland (16)21 3 polker, Bromberg mint, Sigismund
- (16)24 3 polker (1/24 thaler)
- 1629-MW thaler, Riga mint, Gustavus Adolphus
- Riga (16)35 solidus, Christina
- Coins and currency dated 1621