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Norway's first taler
The first Norwegian taler was struck
in 1546. At the copper works at Gullnes, Seljord in Telemark, some silver
ore had been discovered. The silver was taken to Gimsøy
monastery outside Skien in southern Norway where mark-pieces,
eight-skilling pieces and skilling-pieces
were minted from 1543 to 1546.
This series includes a silver
gulden from 1546, a particularly beautiful coin. The delicacy and precision
of the die is such that it raises the question whether it really was made
at the new mint at Gimsøy without the benefits of experience and
routine. The monastery burned down in 1546, after which the silver was
sent to Copenhagen. Perhaps the first silver gulden was struck there. In
any event, it is of the Norwegian type, with the Norwegian lion on the
reverse. As a result, it is
considered to be the first Norwegian taler.
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Year 1546 
