WORLD COINS. SWEDEN. Karl XII, 1697-1718. Riksdaler, 1718, Stockholm. 29.25 g. 41 mm. Mintage: 9,799. Ahlstr�m (SM) 29 a; Dav. 1716. The first portrait of renowned Swiss medallist Johann Carl Hedlinger. Hedlinger met the Swedish King Karl XII during the siege of Fredrikshald outside Oslo, Norway, in autumn 1718 and made him a trial die for a pattern coin. The King was so impressed with his work that he immediately sent him to Stockholm to become Director of the Royal Mint. Despite King Karl XII's death in November same year Hedlinger remained in his position. His designs are still held to be some of the most beautiful in Sweden and are collected widely by numismatists around the world. Very fine.