Szeląg / Solidus - Karol X Gustaw Swedish Occupation

Elbing had been a Hanseatic trading city under Polish suzerainty for over two centuries when Swedish forces occupied it during the First Northern War. Charles X Gustav effectively held the city as leverage, and local coinage continued under occupation authority — a pragmatic arrangement that kept commerce moving while the broader conflict ground on. The city retained nominal minting rights, but the issues of 1657 reflect Swedish military administration rather than the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth that had long claimed sovereignty over Prussian Royal towns.

Kopicki's references 9654–9655 indicate at least two distinct die varieties for this year.