3 mark, Stockholm, Johan III, 1590

Gold coins of the 3-mark denomination were minted by King Johan III of Sweden in 1590, during the 25 Years’ War with Russia. This is the only time in the history of Swedish coinage that gold 3-mark coins were minted.

On the obverse (front side), the 3-mark coin differs from the other gold markmynt coins minted that year. Instead of the coat of arms of the House of Vasa, we see here the coat of arms of the House of Folkunga, with the lion above three sloping beams, which is part of the large national coat of arms. The 3-mark coin, like the 6-mark coin, bears the small national coat of arms on the reverse (back).

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

Object number: 108138_KMK

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