Elbing — modern Elbląg in Poland — was under Swedish control following Gustavus Adolphus's Prussian campaign, and the city mint struck coins in his name as occupying authority from 1626 onward. This arrangement was less a concession than a necessity: the Swedish crown needed hard currency to pay its forces operating deep in Polish-Lithuanian territory, and commandeering existing civic minting infrastructure was the fastest solution.
The 1628 date places this piece in the middle of that occupation, two years before the Truce of Altmark temporarily halted hostilities. Kopicki 9631 is among the more elusive half-taler attributions from this mint and period.
Elbing — modern Elbląg in Poland — was under Swedish control following Gustavus Adolphus's Prussian campaign, and the city mint struck coins in his name as occupying authority from 1626 onward. This arrangement was less a concession than a necessity: the Swedish crown needed hard currency to pay its forces operating deep in Polish-Lithuanian territory, and commandeering existing civic minting infrastructure was the fastest solution.
The 1628 date places this piece in the middle of that occupation, two years before the Truce of Altmark temporarily halted hostilities. Kopicki 9631 is among the more elusive half-taler attributions from this mint and period.