Carl XV

Carl XV and the last skilling years

Carl XV succeeded his father Oscar I in 1859 and reigned until his death in 1872, when his brother Oscar II took over. He was also known as a painter. His coins are among the last struck in the skilling system. The year after his death, in 1873, Norway decided to adopt the krone. It came into use from 1874, and the coinage act followed in 1875. One speciedaler was converted at 4 kroner, so 30 skilling equalled one krone. Norway joined the Scandinavian Monetary Union only in October 1875.

The coins of the category

All were struck at Kongsberg. The 1/2 skilling of 1863 is a copper coin of about 4.6 grams for the smallest payments. The 3 skilling of 1868 and 1869 are small coins of just over 2 grams, and the catalogues list the years as separate variants. The 4 skilling of 1871 is from the last years before the krone. After the conversion, 3 skilling corresponded to 10 øre, which shows how the old values fitted into the new system.

What do collectors look for?

Small coins of this period were heavily used, so specimens in Very Fine or better are attractive, and coins close to mint state are particularly sought after. Look at the sharpness of the legend and arms, the surface, and whether the coin has been cleaned. On copper coins such as the 1/2 skilling, an even brown colour without spots or corrosion is preferred. The 4 skilling of 1871 here is graded Extremely Fine to Mint State.

See also Oscar I, and for the krone coins that followed, Norway after 1874.