THE BATTLE AT BREITENFELDT

 
Lot 16443: Victory at Breitenfeldt Gilt Silver Medal, 1631

The Battle at Breitenfeldt in 1631 stands as one of the most important battles in the 30-Years' War (1618-1648). It was the first major Protestant victory and marks the beginning of a string of Swedish victories.

As was customary at the time, a medal was struck to commemorate this momentous event. The medal, which measures 58 mm, has the victorious King Gustav II Adolf (Gustavus Adolphus) on the obverse, his portrait within an oval surrounded by his titles and farther out war trumpets and banners.

The reverse depicts the battle itself and is the kind of motive one can really get lost in: more than 150 soldiers; Cavalrymen, Pikeman, and Musketeers, advancing through billowing smoke as fallen troops and scattered weapons lie strewn on the battlefield. In the far background a city can be seen (Leipzig / Breitenfeldt?).

Surrounding the scenery is the legend "AVSPICIO IOVÆ VIRTVTE REGIS SVECORVM / VICTORIA LEIP PARSA 1631" which loosely translates into "By the virtue of God success for the Swedish king / Victory at Leipzig 1631." It certainly was an auspicious victory, as the Swedes over the next year conquered city after city, including Nuremberg, Frankfurt am Main, Erfurt, Fürth, and many more.

The Battle at Breitenfeldt medal is very rare, and the silver gilt version even rarer. An example can be found in the June 2025 World Collectors Choice Online Auction – Selections from the L. E. Bruun Collection, as lot 16443.

Gustavus Adolphus' success came to an abrupt end in the battle of Lützen in November 1632, when he died on the battlefield. Many coins and medals (and some that may be one or the other) were struck to commemorate that event, too.

 
Lot 16143: Sweden 1634 Half Taler of Gustavus Adolphus

In the same auction a Half Taler, struck 1634 on the funeral of Gustavus Adolphus in Stockholm, can be found in lot 16143. Previously thought to be struck in Wolgast or Erfurt, it is now believed to be from Stockholm.

These two important and intriguing pieces – one medal and one coin – commemorate the greatest accomplishment and commiserate the final defeat of the famous warrior king. These contrasting events, only 13 months apart, can perhaps be a reminder to us all to seize the moment. A bidder who seizes the moment when they cross the auction block on June 11 could own them both – Carpe Argentum.

The June 2025 CCO Auction of Selections from the L. E. Bruun Collection is available for viewing and bidding at StacksBowers.com. Session 1 will take place on Tuesday, June 10 and Session 2 will cross the block on Wednesday, June 11.

To read the complete article, see:
Carpe Argentum (https://stacksbowers.com/carpe-argentum/)

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