Sweden 1660 1/3 riksdaler KM-XM26
This specimen was lot 3080 in Sincona sale 87 (Zürich, October 2023), where it sold for 1,600 CHF (about US$2,155 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SCHWEDEN, Karl X. Gustav, 1654-1660. 1/3 Riksdaler 1660, Stockholm. Auf seinen Tod in Göteborg am 13. Februar. Auswurfmünze zur Bestattung des Königs in der Riddarholmskirche am 4. November, Selten. NGC MS63. Prachtvolle Erhaltung mit herrlicher Patina. (kingdom of Sweden, Charles X Gustav, 1654-60, one-third riksdaler of 1660, Stockholm mint, on his death on February 13. Largesse coin for the king's burial in Riddarholm Church on November 4th. Rare, Beautiful condition with magnificent patina.)"
The Scandinavian countries and Sweden in particular, have a tradition of striking largesse coins to be thrown to the crowd on state occasions such as weddings, funerals and coronations. This scarce type is catalogued in the SCWC as a two mark, but we follow the auctioneers and Ahlstrom in calling this a one-third riksdaler or four mark. We wish the auctioneers had included the weight, which would settle the matter. The Latin motto, "ISTO CREVIMVS ENSE", translates as WE GROW WITH THIS KNIFE. This variety has a wreath on the reverse; KM XM27 has a circle of pearls.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver.
Catalog reference: KM XM26, Delzanno 53, AAH 40.
- 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, Unusual World Coins, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2011.
- [1]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 87, World Coins and Medals, Zurich: SINCONA AG, 2023.
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