Friedrich d'or

This Swedish gold coin, the Friedrich d'or, was struck using planchets likely sourced from melted-down foreign coins, a pragmatic choice amid the cash-strapped years of the Great Northern War.

That war, ending in 1721, influenced its design, which borrowed directly from German ducats—think a profile of the monarch encircled by Latin mottos, all on a piece weighing around 5.8 grams of 22-karat gold. Minters in Stockholm probably aimed for consistency, but variations in die quality suggest hasty work. We don't know the exact mintage figures; records from that era are spotty at best.

One odd detail: the coin's name nods to Frederick I, though he only ascended in 1720, so early issues might have been a premature tribute. As for collectors, they often overlook that these pieces circulated as currency, not keepsakes.

It’s a reminder that coins, like kings, served the moment's needs.