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Swedish plate Money, Friedrich I
1/2 Daler
Item number: A52
Year: AD 1726
Material: Copper
Size: 87.94 x 92.78 mm
Weight: 324.23 g
Provenance: Münzen Müller 2023
This is a copper plate money issued during the reign of King Frederick I of Sweden in AD 1726, with a face value of 1/2 daler. It was utilized as a circulating currency in Sweden during the 17th century.
The plate money is in the form of a square copper plate, adorned with five circular mint marks. The central impression bears the denomination of the currency: 1/2 daler, while the four additional marks positioned at the corners exhibit symbols representing the royal crown emblem of the Swedish imperial family. The coin is inscribed with the year of its minting, AD 1726, alongside the abbreviation “FRS,” denoting “FRIDERICUS REX SVECIAE” in Latin, signifying King Frederick of Sweden.
In the early 17th century, the Swedish Empire ascended to prominence due to its possession of Europe’s largest and most abundant copper mines. However, due to ill-conceived fiscal policies and the loss of control over silver reserves under the Alvsborg First Treaty, Sweden attempted to compensate by resorting to a substantial issuance of copper coins. In AD 1607 , King Charles IX endeavored to exchange copper coins for silver, yet this initiative did not gain widespread acceptance. The extensive circulation of copper coins resulted in rampant inflation, ultimately leading to a loss of credibility.
Subsequently, Queen Christina attempted to utilize 15 kilograms of copper blocks as currency; however, due to a sharp decline in copper prices, the economy found itself in distress. Government official Görtz implemented a policy of unrestrained copper coin issuance, resulting in severe inflation, which ultimately led to his execution in AD 1719. This form of copper coinage was officially abolished in AD 1768, only to be reinstated a month later.
