4 caroliner, Stockholm, Karl XII, 1718

The autumn of 1718 saw the issue of a new silver coin in Sweden – carolines. These coins bear the king’s crowned mirror monogram and were engraved by the famous medal artist Johann Carl Hedlinger.

The coins were known as Görtz carolines and Görtz daler after the finance minister.

100,000 daler in carolines were sent to Sweden’s King Karl XII in Norway, who was at war. The entire war chest was halted in Strömstad and never reached the king, who was killed on 30 November. The money was distributed to the officers, and then they marched home.

Image rights: Helena Bonnevier, Ekonomiska museet - Kungliga myntkabinettet/SHM (CC BY 4.0)

Object number: 115634_KMK

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