The Coins and Banknotes of Denmark
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The Coins and Banknotes of Denmark Danmarks Nationalbank's building in Copenhagen was designed by the internationally renowned Danish architect Arne Jacobsen and built between 1965-1978 The Coins and Banknotes of Denmark, 2nd edition, August 2005 Text may be copied from this publication provided that This edition closed for contributions in July 2005. Danmarks Nationalbank is specifically stated as the sour- Print: Fr. G. Knudtzon's Bogtrykkeri A/S ce. Changes to or misrepresentation of the content are ISBN 87-87251-55-8 not permitted. For further information about coins and (Online) ISBN 87-87251-56-6 banknotes, please contact: Danmarks Nationalbank, Information Desk Havnegade 5 DK-1093 Copenhagen K Telephone +45 33 63 70 00 (direct) or +45 33 63 63 63 E-mail [email protected] www.nationalbanken.dk 2 Old and new traditions s the central bank of Denmark, Danmarks There are many traditions linked to the appearan- ANationalbank has the sole right to produce ce of banknotes and coins, but the designs are also and issue Danish banknotes and coins. Subject to subject to ongoing renewal and development. For the approval of the Minister for Economic and Bus- instance, the Danish banknote series has been iness Affairs, Danmarks Nationalbank determines upgraded with new security features – holograms the appearance of Danish banknotes and coins and fluorescent colours. The coin series has been and their denominations. supplemented with a tower series and a fairy tale This brochure provides a brief description – in text series, the latter also in silver and gold editions. As and pictures – of the process from the artist's first a consequence of these changes, the time has sketch until the banknotes and coins are put into come to update this publication. circulation. The tasks of Danmarks Nationalbank Danmarks Nationalbank • produces and distributes Danish banknotes and coins • handles overall tasks in relation to payment systems • conducts monetary and foreign-exchange policies to • analyses financial stability ensure the stability of the krone vis-à-vis the euro • collects, collates and publishes financial statistics • manages the foreign-exchange reserve • represents Denmark internationally in a number of • is banker to the banks and mortgage-credit institutes areas. and to the central government 3 The coins of Denmark he present coin series comprises seven deno- Tminations: 25 and 50 øre, and 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 kroner. The series was introduced over a period of four years – from 1989 to 1993. The number of coins relates to tradition, but is also supported by surveys of the most appropriate number of coins in a well-functioning coin series. Photo of the crown of Christian V, The design of the coin series courtesy of Rosenborg Palace The design of the coin series is intended to ensure that the coins are easy to distinguish from each distinguishing characteristic is the thickness of the other, and consequently they vary in size and colour. different coins. Use of these various characteristics The series is divided into three sequences. Within makes it easy for the blind and sight-impaired to each sequence the diameter and weight of the tell the coins apart. coins increases with their value. Each sequence also has its own metal colour. This division into colours The motifs on the coins has its roots in history. In earlier times, gold was Traditionally, the obverse of a coin is embossed with used for the coins of the highest denominations, a national feature, i.e. an image or symbol depicting silver for the next-highest and copper for the lowest the country of issue. The present coin series uses coin denominations. The 25- and 50-øre coins are three different national characteristics: the 25- and therefore copper-coloured, the 1-, 2- and 5-krone 50-øre coins bear the crown, the 1-, 2- and 5-krone coins silver-coloured and the 10- and 20-krone coins bear the Queen's monogram, and the 10- and coins gold-coloured. Besides the visible differences, 20-krone coins bear the there are differences that can be felt, e.g. in the portrait of the Queen. design of the coins' rims. The 25- and 50-øre coins, There is a tradition of as well as the 10-krone coin, have a smooth rim, using the small coat of while the 1- and 5-krone coins have a milled rim. arms, as is the case with The 2- and 20-krone coins have an interrupted the reverse of the 10- and 20-krone coins. milled rim. Unlike the rest of the series, the 1-, 2- and A recurring theme on all the coins is the heart. Use 5-krone coins have a hole in the centre. Another of the heart is a tradition established over many 4 centuries. Originally, it showed that the Royal Mint in Copenhagen had minted the coin. In 1975 the Royal Mint was transferred from the central government to Danmarks Nationalbank and today is part of Danmarks Nationalbank. Previously, the initials of the mint master and the medallist were also shown on the coins. This served as a guarantee of the authenticity of the coins. Today the Royal Mint guarantees the quality of the coins, and since 2002 coins have been minted without initials. Commemorative coins There is a tradition in Denmark to issue commemora- tive coins to mark special events in the Royal Family, such as the Queen's 60th birthday in 2000 and the wedding of Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary in 2004. However, in 1995 the 1,000th anniver- sary of the minting of the first Danish coin was also celebrated with the issue of a commemorative coin. Thematic coins Commemorative coins are issued in two denomi- Since 2002, Danmarks Nationalbank has issued a nations: an ordinary 20-krone coin and a silver series of thematic coins with towers as their common 200-krone coin. motif. In 2005 this series was supplemented with a fairy-tale coin series. The purpose of issuing series of thematic coins is e.g. to stimulate interest in coins among the general public. New motifs also make it possible to introduce new artists to the work of designing coins, so that Denmark will have more artists that master this special art. 5 Tower coins In 2002, Danmarks Nationalbank issued the first Andersen's fairy tales. A total of five fairy tale coin in its series of 20-krone coins with towers coins are to be issued. The motifs have been or sections of towers as the common theme. chosen to illustrate different aspects of Hans The last of the 10 tower coins is expected to be Christian Andersen's fairy tales. The first coin in issued in 2007. Towers have been chosen as the the series was a 10-krone coin issued in three theme since they often represent national or editions – a gold coin, a fine silver coin and an historical symbols. The towers have been chosen ordinary 10-krone coin. This was the first gold not only for their beauty; importance has also coin issued in Denmark since 1931. been attached to depicting towers with diffe- rent functions and at different geographical locations in Denmark. The tower coins are of the same size and alloy as the ordinary 20-krone coin in circulation. The tower coins are issued in an edition of around 1 million. Fairy tale coins In 2005, Danmarks Nationalbank issued the first in a series of coins with motifs from Hans Christian The motif is taken from Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale "The Ugly Duckling" and was designed by the sculptor Hans Pauli Olsen. Issued on 31 March 2005 to mark the bicentenary of the birth of Hans Christian Andersen. The motif is Aarhus City Hall Tower, depicted by the sculptor Lis Nogel. The well-known Danish architect Arne Jacobsen designed both Aarhus City Hall and the Danmarks Nationalbank building. Issued on 2 Decem- ber 2002 to mark the centenary of the birth of Arne Jacobsen. The motif is the spire of the old Copenhagen Stock Exchange, Børsen, with four intertwined dragon tails, depicted by the sculptor Karin Lorentzen. Børsen was built in 1618-1624 by King Christian IV. The dragon tails were said to protect Børsen against fire and foe. Issued on 1 May 2003. The motif is Christiansborg Palace Tower, depicted by the sculptor Hans Pauli Olsen. Christiansborg Palace houses the Danish Parliament. Issued on 20 November 2003. The motif is the Goose Tower, depicted by the sculptor Tina Maria Nielsen. The tower was part of a Medieval fortress in the town of Vordingborg. Issued on 31 March 2004. The motif is Svaneke Water Tower, depicted by the sculptor, Professor Morten Stræde. The tower itself was designed by the famous Danish architect Jørn Utzon. Issued on 2 August 2004. The motif is Landet Church on the island of Tåsinge, depicted by the sculptor Øivind Nygaard. Among the chestnut leaves surrounding the tower, two hearts and a pistol are seen – symbolising the tragic love story of Elvira Madigan and Sixten Sparre, whose grave can be found in the churchyard. Issued on 28 January 2005. 7 25 ØRE AND 50 ØRE ow coin denominations in the series are copper- L coloured with a crown as the central deco- rative element on the obverse. The sovereign's 25 øre: crown is the most important Royal and State sym- Put into circulation on 29 January 1991 bol and represents national sovereignty. Since 1671 the crown of Christian V, which is kept at Rosenborg Palace, has been the Royal Danish crown. The crown is easy to recognise by its five arms and the royal orb with the clover-leaf cross.