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1/2 gyllen, Stockholm, Gustav I Vasa, 1528

The coin in the display case is a half gyllen minted in 1528 in Stockholm. The gyllen coin was first minted in Uppsala in 1523 and then at the Stockholm mint in 1528.

The obverse (front) of the coin shows a full-length portrait of the king in armour and cloak. The king has royal attributes such as a crown, a sword and an orb. Between his feet he holds a shield with a vase, the heraldic arms of the House of Vasa. The inscription on the obverse reads ‘GOSTAVS D G SVECORVM REX’ - ‘Gustav of God's grace, King of Sweden’.

The reverse (back) shows the great coat of arms lying on a cross and above a crown. The inscription reads, ‘MONET NOVA STOKOL 1528’, which translates as ‘new coin Stockholm 1528’.

The gyllen is an unusual denomination and we do not know why the coin was made. One interpretation is that it may be a ‘kastmynt’ (coins issued to the public at, for example, coronations and funerals) issued at Gustav Vasa's coronation in Uppsala on 12 January 1528. In a later written account of the coronation, gold, silver and coins were thrown out.

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

Object number: 106594_KMK

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