DENMARK. 2 Krone, 1618. Elsinore Mint; Privy Mark: Crossed Clubs. Christian IV. NGC MS-61.
KM-61.1; Dav-3516; Hede-105B; Sieg-87.6; Schou-25; Bruun-5040. Weight: 37.85 gms. Mintmaster: Johan Post. A nicely toned and highly lustrous example, boldly struck with an insignificant die-break at the lower reverse. This beautiful broad Krone (Corona Danica) is in many ways the archetypical coin of Christian IV. The denomination, inspired by the English Crown, was introduced in 1618 with the intention that it should pass for 1-½ Speciedaler but the king had arranged for the silver to be debased to pocket a sum for his own slender purse. This was of course quickly found out and the foreign merchants refused to accept these new "Kroner" at face value. Among the public, the king's abbreviated royal motto, RFP (Regnat Firmat Pietas / "Justice strengthens the realms") was soon interpreted as R(iget) F(attes) P(enge) ("The kingdom is in want of money").
From the L. E. Bruun Collection.

Estimate: $5000