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1/2 Öre - Johan III Type II
| Issuer | Sweden |
|---|---|
| Year | 1574 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Diameter | Log in to see details |
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| Reference(s) | MB#148; SM#82 |
| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin |
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| Reverse description | A royal crown is depicted at the center of an inner beaded circle, rendered in the Renaissance style typical of Johan III's coinage. The crown sits prominently in the field without additional supporting devices. A circular legend runs outside the beaded border. The hammered fabric of the flan results in a slightly irregular outline and uneven relief across the design, consistent with Stockholm Mint production of the 1570s. |
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| Additional information |
Johan III's monetary reforms of the early 1570s produced a chaotic coinage environment, with multiple overlapping types struck in rapid succession as the Swedish crown struggled to establish a workable small-denomination currency. The Type II designation reflects a die revision made within the same year of issue — an unusual circumstance that points to administrative pressure rather than planned production.
At .105 fine, this is barely silver by any definition. The billon content was a deliberate concession to the realities of maintaining a functioning petty coinage without depleting bullion reserves.