1 Öre Gustav Vasa

Gustav Vasa's 1 Öre coin was struck from copper mined in Sweden's own Falun deposits, a move that helped bankroll his wars of independence without relying on foreign silver.

That local sourcing cut costs and asserted national pride. The obverse typically bore the king's bust or a crown, while the reverse featured a shield with the Three Crowns. Designs varied by year, as minting techniques were still rudimentary.

We don't know the exact mintage figures; records from that era are scarce. What survives shows these coins circulated widely, from markets in Stockholm to remote villages.

One oddity: Despite the coin's heft, it was worth little more than a loaf of bread. Economists might call that inflation; I call it history's way of keeping things humble.