1 Daler Silvermynt - Charles XII Type IV

Charles XII's plate money — plåtmynt — was a Swedish solution to a peculiar problem: the kingdom had copper in abundance but silver in short supply, so large-denomination coins were struck in copper at weights calibrated to match the silver value they represented. A 1 Daler Silvermynt in copper therefore had to weigh as much as the silver it notionally replaced, producing these slabs of extraordinary mass that circulated as legal tender across Sweden and its Baltic territories.

Type IV distinguishes itself within the Charles XII plate money series by its specific corner stamp configuration, issued during the final years of his reign while Sweden was hemorrhaging territory and treasury to the Great Northern War. Charles was killed at Fredriksten fortress in November 1718, and production of his plate coinage ceased immediately after.