IOHANES ¢ 3 ¢ D ¢ G ¢ SVECI ¢ REX, Crowned Vasa arms flanked by initials "IR" (for "IOHAN REX") / MONETA ¢ NOVA ¢ REG ¢ SVEC, Swedish coat of arms, flanked by the date 7-8. 20.5mm, 1.10 grams. Stockholm mint, minted 1578. "Swedish coins, 1521-2003" p.39. SKU T785-37069

John III (20 December 1537 17 November 1592) was King of Sweden from 1568 until his death. He was the son of King Gustav I of Sweden and his second wife Margaret Leijonhufvud. He was also, quite autonomously, the ruler of Finland, as Duke John from 1556 to 1563. In 1581 he assumed also the title Grand Prince of Finland.