Coins, Sweden. Gustav Vasa, SM 158, 1 daler 1545. 28.56 g. SMB (-cf 23), non-described!). EXTREMELY RARE. This major type variety is described for the first time! The die maker, of the obverse and reverse dies, respectively, has inserted in the surrounding texts as interpunction a particular signum - a very decorative cross consisting of a central ring surrounded by four minor crosses. In the ultimate reference book of Gustav Vasa coins (by T.G. Appelgren, published 1933 and packed with details information and many plates of photographic coins), this aforementioned signum is included on page 30 in the matrix of interpunction signs, BUT with no reference to the date 1545! However, the identical signum appears from the all extremely rare Daler years of 1546, 1547, 1548 (unique copper trial piece) and 1549. Obviously, the mintage was very low for all these dates and with a couple of exceptions, they only are preserved in public museum collections. Detailed study of the Daler piece also reveal signs of a ring in the very strange format of digit 5 in the date. It could signify an attempt to change in the die the original digit 5 to perhaps a digit 9. Appelgren make note of such multi-changed last digit in the dates of the production years of those Dalers. The reason would have been to adjust the date to the year of striking. It could be an explanation that a die made late in 1545 hardly was used and, thus, was put idle until a few years later when it was re-used again. The signum itself is obviously very significant, but it cannot be said with certainty if it represents the signum of the Mint master, the die engraver or perhaps is a secret signum for the provider of the silver to be minted. The coin itself at this auction is a very attractive type coin, over average well struck and with an untouched toned patina including some dirty minor spots. 1+.