Press Releases

15 March 2010: Commemorative coin to mark the 70th birthday of Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II on 16 April 2010

There is a longstanding tradition in Denmark to issue commemorative coins to mark special events in the Royal Family. The Queen's 70th birthday on 16 April 2010 will therefore be marked with the issue of a commemorative coin in three different versions.

A 1,000 krone gold coin is minted in 900 o/oo gold (Au) with a diameter of 22 mm and a weight of 8.65 g. A 500-krone silver coin in 999 0/00 fine silver (Ag) with a diameter of 38 mm and a weight of 31.1 g. The 20-krone ordinary circulation coin in aluminium bronze will be issued in an edition of 1.2 million. Furthermore a 20-krone coin will be minted in a very fine proof quality.

The motif of the obverse of the coin is a new portrait of the Queen made by the sculptor Lis Nogel. The new portrait is also to be used on the ordinary 10- and 20-krone coins from 2011 onwards. The reverse is designed by Ronny Andersen, Royal Armorist, and shows the royal coat of arms set against a background of daisies.

As from 17 March the coins can be purchased from the Royal Danish Mint, www.royalmint.dk., Danmarks Nationalbank and some banks and coin dealers. The recommended retail price for the gold coin is DKK 3,000 incl. VAT. The silver coin is sold at its nominal value. The proof version of the 20-krone coin will be sold by the Royal Danish Mint only. The price for a proof coin, delivered in a box, is DKK 125 incl. VAT. The 1.2 million ordinary circulation coins will be sold in rolls of 20 coins each at its nominal value.

25. March 2010: Interest rate reduction

Effective from 26 March 2010, Danmarks Nationalbank's rate of interest on certificates of deposit is reduced by 0.10 percentage point to 0.70 per cent, the current-account rate is reduced by 0.10 percentage point to 0.60 per cent. The lending rate is maintained at 1.05 per cent, and the discount rate is maintained at 0.75 per cent.

The interest-rate reduction is a consequence of purchases of foreign exchange in the market. The money-market rates in euro are continuously very low and the spread to the equivalent Danish rates tends to strengthen the Danish krone.

Effective from the above date, Danmarks Nationalbank's interest rates are:

Lending rate: 1.05 per cent

Rate of interest on certificates of deposit: 0.70 per cent

Current-account rate: 0.60 per cent

Discount rate: 0.75 per cent.

19 May 2010: Interest rate reduction

Effective from 20 May 2010, Danmarks Nationalbank's rate of interest on certificates of deposit is reduced by 0.10 percentage point to 0.60 per cent, the current-account rate is reduced by 0.10 percentage point to 0.50 per cent. The lending rate is maintained at 1.05 per cent, and the discount rate is maintained at 0.75 per cent.

The interest rate reduction is a consequence of purchases of foreign exchange in the market.

Effective from the above date, Danmarks Nationalbank's interest rates are:

Lending rate: 1.05 per cent

Rate of interest on certificates of deposit: 0.60 per cent

Current-account rate: 0.50 per cent

Discount rate: 0.75 per cent.

26 May 2010: Interest rate reduction

Effective from 27 May 2010, Danmarks Nationalbank's rate of interest on certificates of deposit is reduced by 0.10 percentage point to 0.50 per cent, the current-account rate is reduced by 0.10 percentage point to 0.40 per cent. The lending rate is maintained at 1.05 per cent, and the discount rate is maintained at 0.75 per cent.

The interest rate reduction is a consequence of purchases of foreign exchange in the market.

Effective from the above date, Danmarks Nationalbank's interest rates are:

Lending rate: 1.05 per cent

Rate of interest on certificates of deposit: 0.50 per cent

Current-account rate: 0.40 per cent

Discount rate: 0.75 per cent