Sweden 1625-27 1/2 Ore Klippe
Offered is a scarce and highly sought 1/2 Ore Klippe from Sweden (21mm x 19mm, borderless type), KM#104.2, crudely struck from 1625-27 under the reign of Gustav II Adolf. In 1620, Sweden had adopted a dual monetary standard, based on silver and copper, a reform which came partly as a result of Gustav II Adolf’s expansionist policies, and his need for cash to support his constant warfare. Copper became the medium of the domestic currency while gold and silver were used abroad. The intent here was to expand the domestic economy and make copper scarce elsewhere in Europe, hopefully driving the price up.
To produce the needed specie, the Government used copper from the Great Copper Mountain mine (Stora Kopparberg) in Falun and began tomint coins at mints in Säter (1624), Nyköping (1625) and Arboga (1626). To meet needed initial production needs, coins were at first minted as klippings. Klippes begin as a sheet of copper and the designs are hammered onto both sides (making obverse/reverse alignment difficult). Then, square coins are cut from the sheet with shears. Though mintages during this period were vast, most found their way back into the melting pot owing to rapid advances in production techniques.
Bearing a pleasing dark patina, this piece retains some decent detail when angled in correct light - with much of the Vasa arms and ‘G’ visible on the obverse, and crown, crossed arrows, as well as denomination all clear on the reverse. The thick patina speaks to this perhaps being a wreck coin or a dug piece. All in all, a fascinating and charming piece which is better in hand.
Offered is a scarce and highly sought 1/2 Ore Klippe from Sweden (21mm x 19mm, borderless type), KM#104.2, crudely struck from 1625-27 under the reign of Gustav II Adolf. In 1620, Sweden had adopted a dual monetary standard, based on silver and copper, a reform which came partly as a result of Gustav II Adolf’s expansionist policies, and his need for cash to support his constant warfare. Copper became the medium of the domestic currency while gold and silver were used abroad. The intent here was to expand the domestic economy and make copper scarce elsewhere in Europe, hopefully driving the price up.
To produce the needed specie, the Government used copper from the Great Copper Mountain mine (Stora Kopparberg) in Falun and began tomint coins at mints in Säter (1624), Nyköping (1625) and Arboga (1626). To meet needed initial production needs, coins were at first minted as klippings. Klippes begin as a sheet of copper and the designs are hammered onto both sides (making obverse/reverse alignment difficult). Then, square coins are cut from the sheet with shears. Though mintages during this period were vast, most found their way back into the melting pot owing to rapid advances in production techniques.
Bearing a pleasing dark patina, this piece retains some decent detail when angled in correct light - with much of the Vasa arms and ‘G’ visible on the obverse, and crown, crossed arrows, as well as denomination all clear on the reverse. The thick patina speaks to this perhaps being a wreck coin or a dug piece. All in all, a fascinating and charming piece which is better in hand.
Offered is a scarce and highly sought 1/2 Ore Klippe from Sweden (21mm x 19mm, borderless type), KM#104.2, crudely struck from 1625-27 under the reign of Gustav II Adolf. In 1620, Sweden had adopted a dual monetary standard, based on silver and copper, a reform which came partly as a result of Gustav II Adolf’s expansionist policies, and his need for cash to support his constant warfare. Copper became the medium of the domestic currency while gold and silver were used abroad. The intent here was to expand the domestic economy and make copper scarce elsewhere in Europe, hopefully driving the price up.
To produce the needed specie, the Government used copper from the Great Copper Mountain mine (Stora Kopparberg) in Falun and began tomint coins at mints in Säter (1624), Nyköping (1625) and Arboga (1626). To meet needed initial production needs, coins were at first minted as klippings. Klippes begin as a sheet of copper and the designs are hammered onto both sides (making obverse/reverse alignment difficult). Then, square coins are cut from the sheet with shears. Though mintages during this period were vast, most found their way back into the melting pot owing to rapid advances in production techniques.
Bearing a pleasing dark patina, this piece retains some decent detail when angled in correct light - with much of the Vasa arms and ‘G’ visible on the obverse, and crown, crossed arrows, as well as denomination all clear on the reverse. The thick patina speaks to this perhaps being a wreck coin or a dug piece. All in all, a fascinating and charming piece which is better in hand.