During the Russo-Swedish War of 1788–1790, Gustav III authorized the striking of counterfeit Russian 5-kopeck pieces at the Avesta mint as an instrument of economic warfare — the intent being to flood occupied Russian territories with debased or excess copper coinage and destabilize Catherine II's monetary supply. The coins were deliberately designed to pass as genuine Ekaterinburg issues.
The operation was short-lived, constrained by the war's inconclusive end with the Treaty of Värälä in August 1790.
During the Russo-Swedish War of 1788–1790, Gustav III authorized the striking of counterfeit Russian 5-kopeck pieces at the Avesta mint as an instrument of economic warfare — the intent being to flood occupied Russian territories with debased or excess copper coinage and destabilize Catherine II's monetary supply. The coins were deliberately designed to pass as genuine Ekaterinburg issues.
The operation was short-lived, constrained by the war's inconclusive end with the Treaty of Värälä in August 1790.