2020-04-15 Wed

Today on 15 April in the year 1632 The Battle of Rain was fought in which Swedes under Gustavus Adolphus defeat the Holy Roman Empire during the Thirty Years' War.

Gustavus Adolphus or Gustavus Adolphus the Great was the King of Sweden from 1611 to 1632 and is credited for the founding of Sweden as a great power. He led Sweden to military supremacy during the Thirty Years' War, helping to determine the political as well as the religious balance of power in Europe.

The forces involved in this conflict were 40 000 Swedish troops under Gustavus Adolphus and 25 000 Catholic League troops under Johan Tserclaes, Court of Tilly. It was the second meeting between the two legendary generals (First Breitenfield when Tilly received the first setback of his long and storied career) and like at Breitenfield, Tilly lost when Gustavus forded the river Lechunder the cover of his superb artillery.

The above shown Taler was issued Gustavus reign. The obverse of a coin depicts armored bust turned 3/4to right. On the other hand, the reverse of a coin engraved crowned oval 4-fold arms with a small central shield in the baroque frame, small pine cone arms below, date divided atop.

Image Source: Heritage Auctions