3 mark, Stockholm, Erik XIV, 1562

During most of the reign of King Erik XIV, Sweden and Denmark were at war with each other. In the run-up to the war, Erik had 3 and 1 1/2 mark coins struck, which are commonly known as war coins.

Instead of the portrait of the king, they have a landscape image on the obverse (front). It is thought to represent Älvsborg, which at the time was Sweden's only harbour town facing west. Around the coin is Erik's motto ‘DEUS DAT CUI VULT’ - ‘God gives to whom He pleases’. The spire that is lowered from the sky should be seen as a gift to Erik from God. This can also be read on the reverse, which reads ‘ERICUS XIIII D(EI) G(RATIE)...R(E)X’ - ‘Erik XIV King by the Grace of God’.

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Image rights: Helena Bonnevier, Ekonomiska museet - Kungliga myntkabinettet/SHM (CC BY 4.0)

Object number: 107389_KMK

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