Denmark

Danish coins from the 16th to the 20th century

For most of the period covered here, Denmark and Norway were one kingdom with a shared monetary system based on the rigsdaler, mark and skilling. Many types were struck in Copenhagen, while others came from the mint at Kongsberg in Norway. The Danish coins in this category start with a 2 skilling of 1562 and continue through the 17th and 18th centuries to a 3 rigsbankskilling of 1842.

What is in this category?

• Frederik II: 2 skilling 1562.
• Christian IV: a krone of 1619 and a speciedaler of 1624, both large silver coins from one of Denmark’s most active coin-issuing kings.
• The 17th century: a 1/12 speciedaler of 1648 and 4 mark pieces of 1659 and 1682.
• The 18th century: 12 skilling 1718 and two 1 skilling coins of 1771 with spelling errors in the legend (DANKSE and SKILLIING).
• The 19th century: 3 rigsbankskilling 1842.
• The Danish West Indies: 12 skilling 1767, 10 cents 1859, 20 cents 1878 and 5 cents 1905.

The 1771 error coins

The 1 skilling of 1771 is famous among Scandinavian collectors because some dies were cut with misspellings. These error coins are collected as separate varieties. The same year also produced Norwegian error coins, which you will find under 1771-feilpreg.

Coins from the Danish West Indies

The islands of St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix in the Caribbean were Danish until they were sold to the United States in 1917. The colony had its own coins, first in skilling and later in cents. The 12 skilling of 1767 in this category was struck at Kongsberg in Norway, which gives it a natural place in a Norwegian collection too.

What affects quality and price?

Older Danish silver is judged on how clear the portrait, crown and legend are, on the condition of the flan and on whether the coin has been cleaned or damaged. Rarity varies a great deal between years and varieties, so the catalogue reference on each item is a good starting point. For the Norwegian side of the shared coinage, see Norway before 1814.