Watch List notes:

Sweden, Karl IX SM 33 6 mark 1609 29.27 g. Stockholm. A very beautiful example with light patina and some lustre in shielded areas. R. Private purchase 2005. Ex Ulf Nordlind Mynthandel August 2001. SMB 26. The rare 6 mark 1609 struck in silver is a one year type on all accounts! It is the first, and only, time a denomination of 6 mark is struck. The 6 mark is also part of a series with a similar 8 mark and a few very rare gold coins struck with the same dies and likely were struck to the occasion of Karl's Eriksgata (Procession style journey a newly athroned King of Sweden must undertake) the same year. The reverse design of this series is unique in that it displays a standing lion in a shield, surrounded by the Three Crowns of Sweden. The legend tells us that this was the Coat-of-Arms of Sweden during the reign of Magnus Ladulås (1275-1290). The topic may be seen as a political addendum to the debate about the right to the Three Crowns as a symbol, which was an ongoing dabate between Denmark and Sweden. The obverse inner legend exists with two different varieties - SO)(LATIUM respectively SOL)(LATIUM. The former appears more scarce. The correct weight of the 6 mark is theoretically 29.62 g with asw of 25.30 g. The riksdaler, which was struck 1608, 1610 and 1611, according to the Coinage Act of 1570 should have asw 25.60 g - i.e. almost exactly that of the 6 mark! By this reasoning collector have historically added the 6 mark to their riksdaler collections. N.b. that specifically 1609, no riksdalers were minted. It can also be noted that as of 1604 the daler changed name to riksdaler. The amount of 4 mark was called 1 Swedish daler. However the denominations of e.g. 4 mark continued to be given in mark. 1+/01