Sweden 1666 8 mark Dav-4531

Künker sale 264, lot 2027

This specimen was lot 2027 in Künker sale 263 (Osnabrück, June 2015), where it sold for €3,800 (about US$4,909 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[1] noted,

"KÖNIGREICH Karl XI. 1660-1697. 8 Mark 1666, Stockholm. ; . RR Feine Tönung, sehr schön. (kingdom of Sweden, Charles XI, 1660-97, eight mark of 1666, Stockholm mint. Rare, fine toning, very fine.)"

The catalogs note that the minting of riksdalers dwindled in the 1650's and ceased in the 1670's in favor of the eight mark but do not note why. The striking of riksdalers resumed in the eighteenth century after the Great Northern War (1700-21). The eight mark had about 14% more silver than the riksdaler of 28.77 g. This type was issued 1664-67 in several closely related varieties, including Dav-4530.

Recorded mintage: 6,237 (including Dav-4532).

Specification: 31.34 g, .922 fine silver.

Catalog reference: Dav-4531; Ahlström 55 a, KM 253.

Sources:

• 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.
• Davenport, John S., European Crowns, 1600-1700, Galesburg, IL, 1974.
• ^[1]Künker Münzauktionen und Goldhandel, Catalog 264, Gold coins | Russian Coins and Medals | German Coins after 1871, Osnabrück: Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co., AG, 2015.

Link to:

• 1665 8 mark
• 1667 2 öre
• 1670 8 mark, shield reverse
• 1670 8 mark, monogram reverse
• Coins and currency dated 1666
• return to coins of Sweden