1 1/2 mark, Stockholm, Erik XIV, 1562

When Erik XIV was king, the coinage was extensive, larger than that of Gustav Vasa. The reason was not only the high costs of courting and coronation, but that he soon needed money for the war with Denmark, Lübeck and Poland, the Nordic Seven Years' War of 1563-1570. To save silver, the silver content of the coins was reduced, especially in the so-called war coins in the 3 and 1 1/2 mark denominations. On the obverse (front) we see what is interpreted as a view of Älvsborg and on the reverse (back) we see the large national coat of arms.

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

Object number: 107387_KMK

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