Sweden Silver Medal 1718 - Death of Karl XII at Fredriksten - Karl XII (1697–1718)

3.52g. 22mm. VF-/VF. 

Medalier: Unknown.

Delzanno (SKM) 313b (Ag). 3500 SEK for XF. R - more than 10 known exemplars in private collections, but rarely found in the trade, R. Delzanno reports that only five specimens have been documented as sold; Hildebrand 211. 

Obv.: Bareheaded bust of Charles XII of Sweden on a pedestal, surrounded by military trophies and banners.

Inscription around:

DER GROSE NORDEN HELD DURCH EINE KUGEL FÄLLT.

(The great northern hero falls by a bullet)

Rev.: View of the fortress of Fredriksten under bombardment; in the foreground, entrenchments.

Inscription around:

WAS TRAURET IHR DOCH BIN ICH GLEICH TODT LEBT DOCH GODT NOCH.

(Why do you mourn? Though I am dead, God still lives.)

In exergue:

+ ACH EIN SCHVS AVS FRIEDRICSHALL. IST DES THEVREN CAROLLS FALL.

(Oh, a shot from Fredrikshall — it is the fall of the dear Charles.)

This medal commemorates the death of Karl XII on 30 November 1718 during the siege of Fredriksten fortress in Norway and his burial in Stockholm on 26 February 1719. The imagery and poetic inscriptions emphasize the tragic and heroic dimensions of his fall. A highly symbolic and emotional type, struck in silver and part of a widely recognized memorial issue.