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Sweden / Great Britain - 1792

Death of Gustavus III

Obverse
Obverse:
Right bust of King Gustav III in armor with fur-lined coat.
Legend:
GUSTAVUS III . D : G . REX SVECIAE.
Exergue:
G H KÜCHLER FEC.
Size:
56 mm.
Reverse
Reverse:
A rectangular sarcophagus surmounted by a crowned vase on which the rays of a constellation descend. On the right, the figure of Renommée and, behind her, the symbols of Peace. On the left, a naked boy points to the scene of Gustav's assassination. Signed: C.H.K. FEC
Legend:
TAM MARTE QUAM MERCURIO
Exergue:
NATUS D.XXIIII JAN. MDCCXXXXVI. / SUCC. D. XII. FEB. MDCCLXXI. / TRUCID : D. XVI MART. MDCCXCII. / OB. D. XXIX SUP. MENS. ET AN

Vern's Comments:

Numista.com says:
Gustav III was shot during a masked ball held at the Royal Opera House, Stockholm, on 16 March 1792, but died of infections in the wound on 29 March. His assassin was an army officer, Jacob Johan Anckarström, who acted as part of a conspiracy of noblemen. Anckarström was tried, convicted and executed for regicide.

This is clearly an inferior cast copy. Küchler usually had English subjects for his work but I guess you don't get a King assassinated at a masked ball every day!

Death of Gustavus III

obverse

Death of Gustavus III

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