Erfurt in central Germany was captured by King Gustav II Adolf of Sweden in 1631, during the Thirty Years’ War. Gold and silver coins were minted in the city on behalf of Sweden between 1631 and 1634, and between 1644 and 1648. On the reverse (back) of the coin you see here, mintmaster Johan Schneider’s mintmaster mark can be seen in the form of the alchemical sign for Mercury after the year in the inscription. A mintmaster was a person who supervised the work in the coin workshop.
Image rights: Helena Bonnevier, Ekonomiska museet - Kungliga myntkabinettet/SHM (CC BY 4.0)
