Medal of Gustav II Adolf

The medal was struck to celebrate the victory of the Battle of Breitenfeld on 7 September 1631. Gustav II Adolf was seen as the leader of the Protestant coalition, and the Swedish army won one of the greatest victories of all time against the Catholics. The medal is silver, 64 mm in diameter and 58.8 g in weight. It was engraved by Sebastian Dattler in the 17th century.

The 17th-century medals in the collection reflect Sweden as a Great Power. Although the century saw the establishment of universities, Lutheran public education, internationalising trade and developing industry, the medals emphasise the struggles of the Thirty Years’ War and the importance of God. The medals emphasise the idea that the king was set in his position by God and the crown was protected by God.