Medal, Adolf Fredrik and Lovisa Ulrika visit Falu copper mine
Mining probably took place in Falun as early as the 8th century AD. The oldest written record is what is known as a letter of exchange dating back to 1288. The Falu copper mine was Sweden’s biggest source of income in the 17th and 18th centuries, and the Falu copper mine accounted for two-thirds of the world’s copper production for a time in the 17th century.
This medal was struck in honour of the king’s visit to the mine in the summer of 1755. The medal features a cross-section of the mine, showing shafts, galleries, ladders and workers. We can also see the names of the tunnels, i.e. the galleries, which were named after the king and queen.
If you look closely, you can also see crowns marking how far down the mine the royals went – one crown for Crown Prince Gustav and two crowns for King Adolf Fredrik and Queen Lovisa Ulrika.
