Sweden 1880-EB 2 kronor
This specimen was lot 30289 in Heritage sale 3029 (New York, January 2014), where it sold for $6,462.50. The catalog description[1] noted, "Oscar II 2 Kronor 1880-EB, MS65 NGC. Second variety with OCH. A superb coin with aged cabinet patina and full underlying mint luster. Very rare in mint state. The 2 Kronor series of Oscar II has long been one of the most popular in Sweden and true mint state coins are highly elusive. Ex: 'Colonel' E.H.R. Green; Green Estate' Partnership of Eric P Newman / B.G. Johnson." Collecting Swedish coins is complicated by the multiple currency reforms the country underwent during the period. In 1873, the riksdaler species was dropped and 100 öre = 1 krona (the krona, at 7.5 g, 0.800 fine silver, was slightly smaller than the old riksdaler riksmynt). This date is common in worn condition but scarce nice. This variety shows "OCH" in the obverse legend; a slightly more common variety (KM 742) merely shows "O." The system adopted in 1873 is still in use today, the Swedes having recently declined to adopt the euro.
Recorded mintage: 128,000 minted.
Specification: 15 g, 0.800 fine silver, 31 mm diameter, reeded edge.
Catalog reference: KM 749.
- Bjorne Ahlström, Yngve Almer and Bengt Hemmingson, Sveriges Mynt, 1521-1977, the Coinage of Sweden. Stockholm: Numismatika Bokförlaget AB, 1976.
- Delzanno, Roberto, Myntårsboken 2022, Sveriges Mynt 995-2021, 1:a upplagen, Stockholm, 2021.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Stuart Levine and Bruce Lorich, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3029, featuring Selections from the Eric P. Newman Collection, Part III, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2013.
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