Interesting incuse designs

In writing up the Finland 5 Markkaa, one of the design choices which stands out is the raised text in an incuse box. Looking at that, the first thing that came to my mind was the 1952-1971 series coins from Sweden.

Reverse

The reverse features the value dividing the date, with the crown above. Each of the alphanumeric components is raised, but in an incused rectangle box, except the numeric value, in an incuse circle in the centre. The crown also makes use of incuse sections of its design.

The 1, 2, and 5 Öre, all had the same design, in increasingly larger sizes, from 1952-1971:

Obverse

The obverse is a very similar overall design. The lettering is the ruler’s name “Gustav VI Adolf” with “Sverges Konung” meaning “Sweden’s King”. Similar to the reverse, the central component, the “VI” in the King’s name, is in a round incuse circle with everything else in an incuse rectangle, and everything is surmounted by a crown. The crown is larger on this side.

At the bottom are two marks:

The mintmark of the Stockholm mint. Although various mintmarks have been used, this one is a crowned St Eric IX of Sweden. From Catholic.org:

“Eric IX of Sweden King of Sweden from 1150, Eric did much to aid Christianity in his realm and was responsible for codifying the laws of his kingdom, which became known as King Eric’s Law (also the code of Uppland). He led a victorious expedition against the marauding Finns and persuaded English bishop Henry of Uppsala to remain in Finland to evangelize the Finns. Eric was killed and beheaded near Uppsala by rebelling Swedish nobles in the army of Magnus, son of the King of Denmark, who had invaded his territory, on May 18. Though never formally canonized, Eric was long considered the Patron of Sweden. His feast day is May 18th.”

The second is a capital “T” and “S” for Torsten Swensson, mintmaster from 1945-1961. Later coins have a capital “U” for Benkt Ulvfot, Mintmaster from 1961 – 1974.

King of the Goths and Wends

Gustav VI Adolf was Crown Prince of Sweden from 1907 to 1950 and King from 29 October 1950 until his death in 1973. Gustaf VI Adolf was the last king to hold the traditional designation King of Sweden, the Goths and the Wends.

The Goths, famous for sacking Rome in 410 A.D. (but also credited with helping preserve Roman culture), possibly originated from Sweden, although both Swedish and Danish monarchs adopted the title King of the Goths for around 800 years up until the early 1970s.

From about 500 A.D. and during the early Middle Ages, the Wends occupied most of the land in north-central Europe east of the River Elbe and the tribes tended to settle along river valleys. Both the Danes and Swedes laid claim to the title of King of the Wends and again, both abandoned it in the 1970s.

I’m not sure if that means it’s just free for the taking now… In which case, I now claim my birthright as Q, King of the Goths and Wends! If anyone needs me, I’ll be in the garage looking for my Viking helmet! Although, as I write this, I am somewhat disappointed to discover that the horned theme dates to the Near East in the Bronze age (2,000 BC < 700 BC), but Viking society dates to the 9th Century A.D. there is no sign that Vikings really wore horned helmets. I can’t believe Hagar the Horrible lied to me! Not to mention The Lost Vikings.

Sweden during Gustav VI Adolf’s time.

This is one of those coins, that I instantly start associating with things from its time and place:

Swedish band Abba: Started performing in June 1966.

Ikea: The furniture store started selling furniture in 1948, flatpack furniture in 1953, spread to Denmark and Norway in the 1960s and the rest of the world in the 1970s.

Swedish cars: Both Saab and Volvo are Swedish. Cars of the era include the Saab 93 and Sonnet top, and the Volvo PV and P1800 bottom (images all from Wikipedia)

What is your favourite coin with incuse design? Or what iconic Swedish things of the 1950s – 70s did I miss? Let us know in the comments below!