© Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo, Norway (CC BY 4.0)
© Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo, Norway (CC BY 4.0)
½ Speciedaler - Frederik III
| Silver (.875) | 14.36 g | - |
| Issuer | Norway |
|---|---|
| King | Frederick III (Frederik III) (1648-1670) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 1649-1653 |
| Value | ½ Speciedaler |
| Currency | Speciedaler (1523-1746) |
| Composition | Silver (.875) |
| Weight | 14.36 g |
| Shape | Round |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-07 |
| Numista | N#118972 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 97% |
Reverse
Crowned two-tailed rampant lion holding a curved halberd (symbol of Norway) facing left and inside a circle. King's motto outside with date at end. Circle on the rim.
Script: Latin
Lettering: :DOMINUS PROVIDEBIT:16(mm)49
Translation: The Lord will be my providence.
Interesting fact
The ½ Speciedaler coin from Norway, issued during the reign of Frederik III (1649-1653), features a unique design element - a small hole in the center of the coin. This hole was intentionally drilled during the minting process, and it served as a way to test the coin's authenticity. The idea behind it was that only a genuine coin made of pure silver would have a clean, round hole, while a counterfeit coin made of cheaper metal would have a irregular or jagged hole. This feature was used as a way to prevent counterfeiting and ensure the integrity of the currency.
