16 skillingar, Wismar, Karl XII, 1715

During the Great Northern War (1700–1721), the town of Wismar was besieged between 26 June 1715 and 23 April 1716 by Denmark, Prussia, Russia and Hanover. Food supplies to the city were cut off, and the city’s population suffered severe hardship. The lack of money became acute, and the authorities found it difficult to pay the soldiers defending the city.

Wismar was then granted permission to melt down cannons captured from the enemy, known as trophy cannons, and mint plate coins using the metal. A total of 1,260 plate coins were produced, and this is one of them.

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

Object number: 401525_KMK

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