Penning, Svealand, Johan Sverkersson, 1216–1222

Two of Johan Sverkersson’s many Svealand pennings have a six-pointed star as the centre motif in a couple of variants. One of them reads IOHANNES, while another bears the inscription IOHANNES REX, King Johan. In what context would it have been important to refer to Johan as king? He was crowned king in 1219, and the REX on the coin and the coronation are probably related.

This specimen was found in a hoard in a bog in Ljungkullen in the parish of Dimbo in Västergötland in 1870, together with several of his other coins.

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

Object number: 100445_KMK

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