Sweden 1667 2 mark
This specimen was lot 31769 in Heritage sale 3029 (New York, January 2014), where it sold for $411.25. The catalog description[1] noted, "Carl XI 2 Mark 1667, AU Details (Scratches) NGC. A choice example with incredibly sharp design features and appealing silvery-gray patina. The damage noted by NGC refers to some faint scratches above the crowns on the reverse, barely noticeable. Ex: 'Colonel' E.H.R. Green; Green Estate' Partnership of Eric P Newman/B.G. Johnson." Early two mark (KM 23) were 9.87 g, 0.821 fine; later types of 1638-48 were heavier but lower in fineness, containing about the same amount of silver. The subsequent issues of the 1660's were 10.40 g, 0.694 fine silver. This type of 1664-69 is fairly reasonable in circulated condition.
Karl XI succeeded to the throne in 1660 at the age of four. He was not crowned until 1672, being under the regency of his mother and the Estates. In 1675, he found himself embroiled in war with Denmark which, by firm leadership and good luck, he won. The treaty of Fontainebleau of 1679 ended his last foreign war and he spent the rest of his reign reforming the army and restoring the royal finances. He died of cancer in 1697, aged 41 years.
Recorded mintage: 438,000.
Specification: 10.40 g, 0.694 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM 237a, SM-115.
- 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.
- [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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