Sweden 1698-AS 8 mark Dav-4540
This specimen was lot 3086 in Sincona sale 87 (Zürich, October 2023), where it sold for 4,750 CHF (about US$6,396 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SCHWEDEN, Karl XII. 1697-1718. 8 Mark 1698, Stockholm. Mit der Signatur AS (Anders Strömmer, Münzmeister in Stockholm, 1684-1699). Sehr selten. NGC XF45. Feine Patina. (kingdom of Sweden, Charles XII, 1697-1718, eight marks of 1698, Stockholm mint, with mintmaster's initials AS. Very rare, Nicely toned.)"
In 1698, Sweden was on the eve of the Great Northern War which would result in the destruction of the empire built by Gustavus Adolphus. That year, the SCWC lists three riksdalers: KM 316 (draped bust, shown here, struck 1697-98), KM 319 (reported not confirmed) and KM 320 (draped and armored bust). All are scarce to rare. In 1721, Sweden would surrender the Baltic provinces to Russia, Bremen and Verden to Hanover, most of Swedish Pomerania to Prussia and recognize Danish control of Schleswig-Holstein.
Recorded mintage: 6,448.
Specification: 31.34 g, 0.922 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM 316, Delzanno 9. AAH 31, Dav-4540.
- [1]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 87, World Coins and Medals, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2023.
- Bjorne Ahlström, Yngve Almer and Bengt Hemmingson, Sveriges Mynt, 1521-1977, the Coinage of Sweden. Stockholm: Numismatika Bokforlaget AB, 1976.
- Delzanno, Roberto, Myntårsboken 2022, Sveriges Mynt 995-2021, 1:a upplagen, Stockholm, 2021.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns, 1600-1700, Galesburg, IL, 1974.
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