Noel F. writes: I have been given a crown sized silver coin. It is dated 1632 and is Swedish. The obverse has a likeness of Gustav Adolph who ruled until that year. The reverse has a coat of arms, the date and an inscription which reads: princ:finland:DVX etho:et:cardoming. The obverse reads:Gustav Adolph:DG:Sveco:gotho:Vandalo:Rex.Mag. There is no denomination present, so I do not know if it is a coin or a medal. It is in vf or better condition. None of the books I have found had this item present. Any information would be appreciated.
Gustaf II Adolphus ruled Sweden from 1611-1632 but Sweden’s geographical possessions were spread far and wide in Europe. You might check Erfurt (German State) that was under Swedish rule in 1632. Don’t forget, these 18th century rulers were blood related or in a conspiracy of one kind or another to control as much of Europe as possible. The feudal system of pyramid loyalties was still going on. If you decipher the Latin legends it does give us a clue to where this coin might have been minted. None of the Swedish Crowns or Rixsdalers, dated 1632, show a shield on the reverse, only a figure of Christ. This indicates that the coin might have been minted somewhere else.
Princ. Finland Dvx Etho. et Cardom. Ing.- Prince of Finland, Duke of Estonia and Carelia, Lord in Ingermanland.
and the obverse…..
Gustav Adolph D.G. Sveco(rum) Gothor Vandalo(r) Rex Mag(nus) (Dux Find.) – Gustavus Adolphus the Great by the Grace of G-d designated king, prince, heir, King of Sweden Gotland, Vandalia, Grand Duke of Finland.
Maybe one of our readers can shed some more light on this mystery…….
