1 Schilling - Eric XIV Type 2, without shield

Historical Context: The 1 Schilling of Reval, issued 1564-1568, marks a critical juncture in Livonian history. Reval (modern Tallinn), a vital Hanseatic city, came under Swedish protection in 1561 during the Livonian War. Struck under Eric XIV, King of Sweden (1560-1568), this coinage signifies Swedish suzerainty while acknowledging Reval's minting rights. The "Type 2, without shield" designation indicates a specific design iteration reflecting evolving iconography or minting practices amidst significant Baltic political transition.

Artistry: The artistry of this Reval Schilling, though unattributed, adheres to the late Renaissance stylistic school prevalent in Northern European and Hanseatic mints. Its billon composition and 18mm diameter necessitated a compact, robust design. Such coins typically feature the monarch's monogram or initial on the obverse, often with the city's emblem or a cross on the reverse, alongside denomination and date. The "without shield" descriptor suggests a simplified obverse, likely emphasizing Eric XIV's royal cypher directly.

Technical/Grading: Technically, the 1 Schilling's billon composition (0.98 gg, 18mm) often results in characteristic strike qualities. High-points include central devices like the royal monogram or civic emblem, and outer legends. Due to billon alloys and hurried minting, full, even strikes are uncommon. Weakness is frequently observed in legends, especially towards the rim, and planchet imperfections like laminations or irregular shapes are common. Centering also varies, making examples with complete, well-defined legends highly desirable.