Adolphs d’or

The Adolphs d’or, also known as the Pistole, is an important gold coin that was minted during the reign of Adolph Frederick of Sweden. It was created in the early 18th century in Swedish Pomerania, a province that was then part of Sweden and is now located in north-eastern Germany. It was minted in the traditional mint of Stralsund and is one of the most impressive examples of representative gold coins of this era. With a face value of five talers in gold, the Adolphs d’or is one of the most valuable and prestigious coin issues, which were mainly used for representative and trade purposes.
In a numismatic context, the Adolphs d’or is an impressive testimony to Swedish coinage policy outside the core country, especially in the context of the personal union rule over parts of northern Germany. King Adolph Frederick had the coin minted not in the Swedish mother country, but specifically in Stralsund in order to demonstrate control over Swedish Pomerania and strengthen economic influence through stable, high-quality gold coins. The obverse of the coin shows a finely engraved portrait of Adolph Frederick surrounded by a Latin inscription with his title, while the reverse usually bears the Swedish coat of arms or a shield with Pomeranian symbols.
The name ‘Pistole’ refers to the French influence on coinage at that time, as gold coins of similar weight and value in international trade were often named after the French model. Nevertheless, the Adolphs d’or is not a direct copy, but an independent gold coin with a specifically Swedish-Pomeranian character. Due to its rarity, high gold content and historical connection to Swedish rule over German territories, this coin is now one of the most sought-after items in historical numismatics.
For collectors and historians, the Adolphs d’or is a fascinating object that impressively demonstrates the political and economic significance of coins as symbols of power. The fact that this valuable coin was minted in Stralsund – far from the Swedish crown, but under its sovereignty – makes it an important numismatic testimony to cross-border coinage in the 18th century. Its historical uniqueness, artistic design and political significance make the Adolphs d’or an outstanding rarity in Scandinavian-German coinage history.