This coin is the finest in my collection. In 1857, Sweden issued the denomination 50 Öre for the first time during the reign of Oscar I (1844-1859). The coin had the portrait of the king and was struck with the same year. Next was Karl the XIV (1859-1872) and there were only 50 Öres struck with the year 1862. These coins were issued in a small number in high quality and are very rare. The 50 Öre from 1862 also had a picture of the king on the coin.

King Oscar II (1872-1907) issued a 50 Öre without his portrait. After King Oscar II came Gustav V (1909-1950). The normal 50 Öre was struck without his picture. In the early 1920s a few pattern 50 Öre coins were struck. These coins had the portrait of the King.

In the early 1950s a coin dealer named Hakon Kinnmark in Gothenburg found one such pattern 50 Öre with the year 1920 among a lot with other coins. He presented the coin in his stock list from 1954. Two more such coins are known at the Royal Coin Cabinet in Stockholm, but no more known in private hands except this coin.

The coin was later sold at Ahlströms auction house at Auction 58 in 1998 and I was then the underbidder, but I was able to acquire the coin through a deal a few years later.

It weights 2.97 grams in silver (normal is 5 grams) and has a diameter of 20 mm (normal is 22 mm) and has a reeded edge while the normal coin edge is flat. It has the year 1920 in contrast to the normal 50 Öre coins which do not bear this year.

Swedish 50 Öres are no longer produced and the last year it was struck was 2009. Here is the pattern coin and below, the normal coin issued during Gustav V's reign.