Queen Margrethe's silver jubilee

On 14 January 1997 a commemorative coin was issued to mark Queen Margrethe's silver jubilee.

The coin was minted in 20-krone and 200-krone versions. The 20-krone coin was minted in an edition of one million from the same alloy as the ordinary 20-krone coin. The 200-krone coin, which is approximately 1 cm larger than the 20-krone coin, was minted in fine silver in an edition of 60,022.


Untraditional full-figure portrait of the Queen
By tradition Queen Margrethe's portrait is depicted on Danish coins, but these commemorative coins show Queen Margrethe standing in a long robe and bearing the chain of the Order of the Elephant. Despite the small format it has been possible to depict clear facial features. The face of the coins is inspired by e.g. coins issued by Christian IV, depicting the king standing with sceptre and crown.

The small and large national coats of arms
The reverse of the coins depicts the national coat of arms. The 20-krone coin bears the small version of the national coat of arms – the state coat of arms. The state coat of arms is a shield with three crowned lions and nine hearts. The Royal crown rests on the shield.

The 200-krone coin bears the large version of the national coat of arms – the Royal coat of arms. In the Royal coat of arms the shield is divided into the four sections of the Cross of Dannebrog (the national flag). Two sections are identical, and like the state coat of arms depict three lions and nine hearts.

One section shows the two lions of southern Jutland, and the last is divided into three smaller sections depicting the ram of the Faroe Islands, the bear of Greenland, and three crowns (a symbol of the Kalmar Union). At the centre is a section depicting the Oldenburg beams. The Royal crown rests on the shield.

The present design of the Royal coat of arms dates back to 1972, and thus also had its silver jubilee in 1997. This was one reason for using this motif on the 200-krone coin. The commemorative coin was designed by medallist Jan Petersen and minted by the Royal Danish Mint.