Riga (16)43 solidus
This specimen was lot 11286 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, 1643. Riga Mint. Kristina. NGC MS-62. Beautiful lustrous coin. From the L. E. Bruun Collection." This type was struck by the city of Riga 1635-54 while under Swedish occupation. It is common. It is a city issue ("SOLIDVS C·RIGENSIS"), not a provincial issue ("SOLIDUS LIVONIAE") for which, see KM 2. One thaler was 48 solidi or schillings. The city later returned to Polish rule but was contested between Poland, Sweden and Russia for the next century, Russia emerging the eventual victor. Riga is today the capital of Latvia.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specifications: 0.54 g, billon, this specimen 0.58 g.
Catalog reference: KM-21 (listed under Livonia); Delzanno-361; SB-62; Bruun-11986.
- 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.
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