1623, Denmark. Christian IV. Speciedaler. Gluckstadt Mint. KM-15; Dav-3668; Hede-156; Sieg-183.1; Schou-16; Lange-34; Bruun-5332. Weight: 29.07 gms. Mintmaster: Albert Dionis. A stunningly choice example of this popular type, with surfaces that have acquired a rather pleasant tone and have largely escaped forms of major handling. For preciseness, a few small areas with doubling or incompleteness of strike are noted, particularly at the date, but the overall depiction is quite satisfactory. NGC MS-63.

The city of Glückstadt (literally: City of luck) had been founded by Christian IV only seven years earlier, in 1616. The idea was to creative a Danish rival to the important City of Hamburg. Promising settlers tax exemption and, radically for the time, freedom of religion, the city soon flourished, becoming the home of the first Jewish settlers in Denmark. Many of the coins struck at Glückstadt depict Lady Luck standing on a globe, as does this astounding piece.

1655. Denmark. Fredrik III Krone (4 Mark). Frederik III. DAV-3572; KM-194.2a; Sieg-49.1; H-95A; Schou-24. Variety with no mintmasters mark or stop after date. List in the SCWC as RARE with no value information. Inavy blue centers and champagne accents giving a visual pop against the natural slate gray of the fields. PCGS AU-53.

1659. Denmark. Frederik III (1648–1670) Krone. Copenhagen Mint. DAV-3576; KM-194.5. Commemorating the repulsion of the Swedes and the breaking of the siege at Copenhagen. Obv. Crowned monogram upon mound. Rev. Manus Dei (Hand of God) emerging from clouds to left, severing hand emblematic of the Swedish king, which reaches toward Danish crown. A very popular and interesting issue. Aged to a deep clay hue with scattered charcoal and blue-gray accents throughout.  A popular and highly historical type - the finest of its kind thus far encountered. NGC MS-64.

Ex. Jean Elsen Auction 91 (March 2007, Lot 1207)

From the Cape Coral Collection of European Crowns, Heritage Signature Auction #3089 (January 21, 2021 Lot 30074)

1681-GS. Denmark. Christian V (1670-1699) Krone (4 Mark). Copenhagen Mint. Mint master Gregorius Sesemann. Engraver: Jeremias Hercules. DAV-3637. KM-370, Hede-67B; Sieg-39; Schou-3; Bruun-6922. Well struck piece. NGC AU-55.

1693 CW. Denmark. Christian V (1670-1699) Krone (4 Mark). Mint master Christian Wineke. Die Cutter Anton Meybusch. Copenhagen Mint. DAV-3648. KM-428.1. Hede 99 A. Victory 51.1. Well struck with dappled coloration, scarce in this grade and a popular portrait silver type. PCGS AU-55.

1693. Denmark Christian V (1670–1699) Krone (4 Mark). Copenhagen Mint. DAV-3648. KM-428.1. H-104. S-36. Kold-131c.  NGC AU-53.

1632. Sweden. Gustav II Adolf (1611–1632) Medallic issue on the weight of 6 Riksdaler commemorating the funeral of Gustav II Adolf and the Return of His Body to Stockholm. By S. Dadler. 79mm. 164.03mm. RR. DAV-275A (6 Thalers); SKM 275d: Hildebrand I-188; Maué 35; Więcek 89. By Sebastian Dadler of Danzig. Obv: The king laid in state, angels descending from Heaven to escort him; in the background marching armies. Triply dated 9 December 1594, 6 November 1632, and 1634. GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS MAGNUS DEI GRATIA SUECOR : GOTHOR : ET V AND ALOR : REX AUGUSTUS, crowned, armored, and mantled body of Gustav laying right on pillow, sword beside; above, ten cherubs in cloud below radiant name of God in Hebrew, EUGE SERVE FIDELIS between two rays, one cherub holding banner inscribed VEL MORTUUM FUGIUNT; battle scene in background to left. Rev. the king with sword and Bible in chariot trampling evil. in exergue, NATUS 9 DEC : ANNO 1594/ GLORIOSE MORTUUS 6/ NOU : ANO 1632 / · DUX GLORIOS PRINC PIUS HEROS INVICT VICTOR INCOMPARAB TRIUMPH FELIX & GERM LIBERATOR A 1634, Gustav riding left, holding sword and Gospel, in triga pulled by pegasi, trampling Hydra below; behind, Faith holding book, box, flaming heart, and hat set on long cross, and Courage, holding column, both crowning Gustav; above, ET VITA ET MORTE/ TRIVMPHO. 

In his review of CoinArchives Pro, Roberto Delzanno has found only one example of this denomination, compared to three examples of the 5 1/2 Riksdaler and 40 examples of the 5 Riksdaler. This specimen is therefore extremely rare. Beautiful toning. NGC MS-62.

Gustav II Adolf, afterwards styled as “den Store (the Great)” fell in battle on the afternoon of 16 November, 1632, at the battle of Lützen in what is today Germany. The Thirty Years War had already been raging for nearly two decades before Swedish and German Protestant forces met the Catholic Imperial armies in a decisive battle on the foggy field south of Liepzig. Gustav himself personally took the field that day, and around 1 PM, while leading a cavalry charge on his right wing, both he and his mount were struck by enemy fire. The king was separated from his command, behind enemy lines, and not found again until a few hours after the smoke cleared, when his stripped and mangled body was retrieved and borne back to Sweden.

1632. GERMANY, Augsburg (Stadt). Gustav II Adolf der Große (the Great). As King of Sweden, 1611-1632. Taler (42mm, 28.98 g, 12h). DAV-4543; Forster 240; KM A68. Swedish occupation issue. Dated 1632. (rosette) GVSTAV : ADOLPH : D : G · SVECO : GOTHO : VANDALO : REX · MAG, laureate, draped, and armored bust facing slightly right / PRINC : FINLAND : DVX ETHO : ET · CARDOM : ING, crowned coat-of-arms of Sweden. Stunning GEM, deep iridescent toning. NGC MS-65.

Ex Richard A. Jourdan Collection, purchased from Stephen Harvey, December 1992.

Augsburg’s coinage vividly records changes in the city’s leadership during the Thirty Years’ War. This taler was minted in the name of Gustavus Adolphus, the Swedish king who occupied the predominantly Protestant city beginning in 1632. Only a few years after this coin was produced, the Habsburgs recaptured Augsburg, and the city resumed producing coins in the name of the Holy Roman Emperor.

1643-AG. Sweden. Christina Riksdaler. Stockholm Mint. DAV-4525; KM-187. Nicely preserved and well centered with traces of iridescent luster glowing from the protected areas. A superb example of this popular type showing a portrait of the famous Swedish queen as well as a standing figure of Christ the Redeemer. Seldom seen in this near-Mint quality. NGC AU-58.

1821-CB. Sweden. Carl XIV Johan (1818-44) Riksdaler. Stockholm Mint. DAV-350. KM-610; Sieg-11; AAH-43. Struck in 1825 to commemorate the tercentenary of the establishment of political and religious freedom. Obv: Bust right. Rev: Portrait medallions of Gustavus Vasa, Gustavus Adolphus, and Frederick I. One year type. Mintage of only 7,339 pieces. Lovely moderately toned uncirculated specimen. Very well struck with very nice surfaces. NGC MS-63.

1638. Norway. Christian IV Speciedaler. Christiania mint. DAV-3534. KM-12. ABH-38. A representative of a seldom-seen type at our auctions that provides instant verification of additional care and attention to detail that accompanied this piece's production. A full strike lends a complete and deep outline to Christian IV's portrait and reverse lion, tempered only by mild, typical striking weakness to the legends. Punctuated by a deep, battleship-gray patina that lends an appreciable visual character, we expend ample demand for this almost always lesser certified type from the great Norwegian collector base. NGC MS-62.

1671-FG. Norway. Christian V. 4 Mark (Krone). Christiania Mint. DAV-3662; KM-96; Hede-41A; Sieg-37.1; NMD-77A; Schou-34; Bruun-10120. Weight: 21.19 gms. Mintmaster: Frederik Grüner. Struck for regular circulation and thus very scarce this nice. NGC AU-55.

Provenance: From the L. E. Bruun Collection.

Ex: Countship of Brahesminde

Collection (Private Sale - 1922).

1723-HCM. Norway. Frederik IV. 4 Mark (Krone). Kongsberg Mint. DAV-1290; KM-220; Hede-3; Sieg-11; NMD-5; Schou-3; Bruun-10634. Weight: 22.42 gms. Mintmaster: Henning Christopher Meyer, the younger. Engraver: Andreas Jonsen Lunde. This beautiful equestrian, one-year type was minted from silver found at Kongsberg in a mine named after the king's second queen, Anna Sophia. Wonderful surfaces and excellent toning. NGC AU-58.

Provenance: From the L. E. Bruun Collection.