Father and Daughter - The story of Gustavus Adolphus and Christina

The pivotal and bloody conflict that was the Thirty Years War (1618-1648) transformed Europe, breaking the power of the Holy Roman Empire, and giving rise to the nation state, notably France, the Netherlands and England.



The Swedish king, Gustavus Adolphus (1594-1632), was a central figure in this conflict, during the Swedish intervention in the conflict (1630-1635), championing the Protestant cause and leading those forces against the German Catholic League and the Imperial forces of the Emperor and his allies. He lead his army to his most notable victory at the battle of Breitenfeld in 1631, the first major Protestant victory of the conflict. He was killed at the Battle of Lützen in 1632, which was a major Protestant victory, but a pyrrhic one. He was posthumously given the title of Gustavus Adolphus the Great by the Swedish Riksdag of the Estates in 1634.

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In 1632 the city of Erfurt issue a thaler commemorating the death of Gustavus Adolphus, known as the Purim thaler.

The obverse includes a legend, under the sun rays of Jehova, in Latin, “Thy right hand, o Lord, has dashed in pieces the enemy.”

The reverse, devoted totally to legends, “Purim day of the Evangelicals in 1632, celebrated in Erfurt on 7 September. / Honor and praise be unto God, three times the best and greatest, who had granted Gustavus Adolphus, King of the Swedes, Goths and Wends, victory over the Imperial and the League army near Leipzig on 7 September 1631.”

This coin is Davenport 4546.

29.0 grams








Christina (1626-1689) succeeded to the Swedish throne in 1632 under a regency, and began ruling at the age of 18. During her reign, she promoted academics and the arts, earning her the title of "Minerva of the North". In 1654, at age 28 Christina abdicated the throne, converted to Catholicism, and moved to Rome. She never married, spending the rest of her life devoted to theatre and music, becoming the patron of many Baroque artists, musicians and composers.

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This is a riksdaler issued in 1645, Stockholm, when Christina was 19 years of age.

The obverse legend reads: CHRISTINA DG SVE GOT WAN Q DE REG PR HAE. Christina is in 3/4 profile.

The reverse legend reads: SALVATOR MVNDI SALVA NOS M D C XL V. Christ is standing facing, holding cross on globe and raising hand in benediction, crowned arms in left field.

Davenport 4524, SM-17

28.7 grams



Please post your Swedish coins, coins of the 30 Years War, or anything else you desire.

Thank you.

 

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Here is a recent addition.
1693 8 Mark


Diameter: 40 mm

Obverse: His draped bust right
Reverse: Crowned arms
Edge: Lettered

Note: Davenport 4539

Mint: Stockholm
Mint Master: Anders Strommer

Ex Stephen Album Auction 29 (14-15 September 2017) lot 966. Noted there as Ex Dr. John Lund Collection.
Ex Davissons Ltd Auction 37, Lot 174.

And here is one more relevant to your time period.
1647 Solidus




Obverse: Crowned C with Vasa arms within inner circle
Reverse: Arms in cartouche in inner circle, date in legend

Composition: Silver

 

Both are very nice examples.

The Christina riksdaler is the only Swedish coin that I now own. I wish that I didn't sell the other one years ago.