Sweden 1617 1-1/2 mark
This specimen was lot 30966 in Heritage sale 3029 (New York, January 2014), where it sold for $3,525. The catalog description[1] noted, "Gustaf II Adolf 1 1/2 Mark 1617, AU53 NGC. Largesse piece for the coronation of Gustaf II Adolf. A most handsome coin with the perfect blend of light gray toning and underlying mint luster. The details are boldly executed on both sides. The obverse features a laureate bust of the King with Jehovah above in Hebrew while the reverse displays a radiant sun above the crown. Very scarce in this select quality." Largesse referred to the coin thrown to the populace at major occasions such as coronations and funerals. In Sweden special types were produced which weren't officially coins but circulated extensively, probably because of a shortage of coinage of good silver.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver.
Catalog reference: KMX-M4, SM-85.
- Bruce, Colin R., and Thomas Michael, Unusual World Coins, 5th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2007.
- [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.
Link to:
- 1562 1½ mark
- Sweden 1606 4 ore
- Sweden 1608 mark
- 1617 4 mark
- 1617 riksdaler
- Sweden 1620 6 mark largesse
- Coins and currency dated 1617
- return to coins of Sweden