Catalog
See full images - free registration
Continue with Google - no registration!
or register with email
Why register? Just to keep bots out of our catalog. Your email stays private - we will never share it or send you anything uninvited. We guarantee you that!
2 Speciedaler - Christian IV
| Issuer | Copenhagen Mint |
|---|---|
| Year | 1629-1647 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Speciedaler (1523-1746) |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | Log in to see details |
| Diameter | Log in to see details |
| Thickness | Log in to see details |
| Shape | Log in to see details |
| Technique | Log in to see details |
| Orientation | Log in to see details |
| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
| Reference(s) | Log in to see details |
| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin |
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | A crowned, rampant lion passant facing left occupies the central field, rendered with vigorous detail including outstretched claws, a flowing mane, and spread wings at the haunches in the manner of the Danish royal heraldic beast. The date 1646 is divided to either side of the lion's body, with the mintmaster's initials PG (Peter Gyldenspor) visible in the lower field. The central device is enclosed within a finely executed rope or cable border. The surrounding circular legend reads BENEDICTIO DOMINI DIVITES FACIT, meaning 'The blessing of the Lord maketh rich' (Proverbs 10:22), separated by a pellet stop, all within a beaded outer border. |
| Reverse script | Log in to see details |
| Reverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Edge | Log in to see details |
| Mint | Log in to see details |
| Mintage | Log in to see details |
| Additional information |
Christian IV's speciedaler coinage spans one of the most turbulent stretches of Danish history — the catastrophic defeat in the Thirty Years' War cost Denmark its role as the dominant Scandinavian power and nearly bankrupted the crown. The 2 Speciedaler denomination was a high-value instrument of state finance, used in diplomatic payments and military contracting rather than everyday commerce, which explains why survivors tend to show less wear than comparable German taler-weight pieces from the same decades.
The long date range across this type reflects continuity of dies and punches rather than consistent annual production. Copenhagen's output fluctuated sharply with royal finances, and several years within the bracket saw no striking at all.