25 øre

A silver coin from 1876

The 25 øre was introduced in 1876 as one of the smaller silver coins of the krone system. The Oscar II coins are struck in 600/1000 silver, weigh about 2.4 grams, measure 17 mm and carry the king’s crowned monogram. Silver was used until the First World War years, also under Haakon VII.

Holes, zinc and animals

From 1921 the 25 øre was struck in copper-nickel with a hole, and the holed coins were made until 1950. During the German occupation the coin was struck in zinc in 1943–1945, without the royal crown and monogram, while the government in London had its own 25 øre made in England in nickel-brass. In 1952–1957 a copper-nickel coin without a hole followed, with Haakon VII’s crowned monogram and the crowned lion on a shield.

Olav V’s 25 øre of 1958–1973 shows the king’s portrait and a bird, part of the animal coins of his reign. From 1974 a much smaller 25 øre was struck, weighing only 1.5 grams and showing a cross of crowned OV monograms. The last 25 øre is dated 1982, and Norges Bank lists it as no longer valid from 1 January 1985.

What makes a 25 øre interesting?

The small silver coins wear quickly, so Oscar II pieces with sharp monograms, lustre and an even, natural patina are much harder to find than worn ones. For the later copper-nickel coins most collectors look for coins in mint state, without spots or handling marks. Other denominations are found under Norway after 1874.