A Marvelous Medal

The L. E. Bruun Collection is still full of treasures, despite almost 7,000 lots having been sold to date in sales that have realized €41 million in total. Bruun’s collection of Swedish medals keeps astounding us as they attract intense bidding interest and high hammer prices.

One of these medals, the 1631 Conquest of Riga silver medal from Gustav II Adolf (Gustavus Adolphus), sold in our March L. E. Bruun IV sale, for €24,000 (including buyer’s premium). Its closest rival sold 13 years ago for €6,500, but Bruun’s example was far superior in condition, as is almost always the case. Lars Emil had a keen eye for quality and eye-appeal, and he had the finances to get the best of the best.

The medal displays marvelous city views on both sides, showing the siege of Riga by the Swedish Army. The attention to detail, by famous medallist Sebastian Dadler, is quite breathtaking, and the preservation allows for every single strand of hair on the king’s horse to be seen.

If you are the lucky person who bought this medal, I congratulate you; it is truly a masterpiece! If you didn’t, I invite you to enjoy the pictures of it – and make sure to keep your eye peeled for upcoming 2026 L. E. Bruun Collection sales, where more marvelous medals go under the hammer.

Next up is the June 2026 Premier Collectors Choice Auction of Selections from the L. E. Bruun Collection on June 9-10, followed by another Premier Collectors Choice Auction of selections from the L. E. Bruun Collection on September 21-22. Our Copenhagen sale of Part V of The L. E. Bruun Collection is scheduled for October 27-28, and we will close out the year with a Premier Collectors Choice Auction of selections from the L. E. Bruun Collection on December 9-10.