There are more details of the new coin designs and their often long traditions below.
Portrait of H.M. King Frederik X.
The new 20- and 10-krone coins follow the centuries-old tradition of bearing the portrait of the reigning monarch on the higher value coins. Coins have traditionally been 'the coin of the realm', which is also reflected in the Danish Constitution, which states that "the king has the right to have coins minted according to law".
The portrait of H.M. King Frederik X adorning the new 20- and 10-krone obverse, was created by sculptor Eva Hjorth, who also made the portrait of H.M. Queen Margrethe II used on the previous editions of 20- and 10-krone coins (from 2023).
Eva Hjorth's portrait of King Frederik X was used for the first time on the 2024 Passing of the Crown coin and is continued on the new circulation coins.
In her preparations for the portrait, Eva Hjorth found inspiration from many historical coin portraits, not least the portrait on the first coins of King Frederik IX.
The royal coat of arms
On the reverse of the new 20- and 10-krone coins, you can see the royal coat of arms. Just as there is a tradition in Denmark of having the portrait of the reigning monarch on the obverse of the highest-value coins, there is a tradition of having either the coat of arms or the royal coat of arms, or parts thereof, on the reverse.
The crown above the shield is Christian V's, the official Danish royal crown. The entire royal coat of arms was redrawn in 2024 by royal herald Ronny Skov Andersen in connection with King Frederik's accession as King of Denmark.
The last time the combination of crown and shield from the royal coat of arms was used on coins was on the 5-, 2- and 1-krone coins from 1973, the first featuring HM. Queen Margrethe II after her accession as the new monarch in 1972.
The heart – a mint mark
On the obverse of the new 20- and 10-krone coins, a small heart appears between the texts 'Frederik X' and 'King of Denmark'.
The new coins continue a long Danish tradition with the inclusion of the small heart. Over the centuries, coins have been produced in parallel at mints in several parts of the Danish realm, including Norway and Schleswig-Holstein, each under the responsibility of its own mint master. The mint master placed a discreet mark on the coins, making it possible to keep track of which coins were produced where and by whom.
In 1841, it was decided that the coins should bear an actual mint mark for the mint and the initials of not only the mint master but also the medallist – the person who had created, or designed, the coin in question. The Copenhagen Mint, popularly known as 'Mønten', chose the heart as its mint mark.
As early as 1864, when neither the duchies of Schleswig-Holstein nor Norway were part of the Danish realm, all Danish coins were produced in one place – the Copenhagen Mint. But many coins continued to bear the mint mark.
King Frederik X's monogram
The obverse of the new 5-, 2- and 1-krone coins features the monogram of King Frederik X. There is a tradition of using the monarch's monogram on the lower-value coins, while the higher-value coins carry the monarch's portrait.
King Frederik X's official monogram was established shortly after his accession in 2024 and can be seen on the sentry boxes and shoulder straps of the Life Guards, the sabre scabbards of the Guard Hussars Regiment and other items.
The monogram was designed by royal herald Ronny Skov Andersen, but has been adapted by Danmarks Nationalbank's Head of Design, Jeanette Skov Jensen, to create symmetry and balance regarding the hole in the centre of the 5-, 2- and 1-krone coins.
The new icon
On the reverse of the new 5-, 2- and 1-krone coins, there is also a new icon that has not been used on Danish coins before.
The icon consists of an octagon, which is also the shape of Amalienborg Slotsplads. The octagon is repeated four times for the four palaces on the square, and joined into a single shape. It refers to Amalienborg and the palace square as a meeting point for the Royal House and the population. Amalienborg has been the official home of monarchs for more than 230 years.
The designer of the entire coin set, Jeanette Skov Jensen, Head of Design at Danmarks Nationalbank, designed the new icon.
Text, numbers and fonts
Across all five new coins, there are a number of texts and details that also have design traditions.
Each coin must clearly state the value of the coin, which is why the value is written as numbers, not letters. The value indication is on the reverse of all five coins.
The word 'Danmark' must also appear on the coins, either directly or indirectly in the monarch's title. On the new 20- and 10-krone coins, the text 'Frederik X – Danmarks konge' (Frederik X – King of Denmark) appears around the portrait.
All text and numbers are set in Danmarks Nationalbank's special coin font, which has been used on many coins since 2013.
Grooves on the rim
The new coins have different types of markings and grooves on the rim for the blind and visually impaired.
The design of the grooves varies from coin to coin, but is exactly the same as on the previous coins: The 1- and 5-krone coins are milled all around the rim, while the 2-krone coin is only partially milled. The rim of the 10-krone coin is smooth, while that of the 20-krone coin is partially milled.
The grooves vary especially between coins, where the blind and visually impaired might otherwise be in doubt about the coin's size. The 1- and 5-krone coins differ so much in size that one can distinguish between them even though the type of grooves are the same. Similarly, the 2-krone coin has a hole in the centre and is easily distinguishable from the 20-krone coin, even though it has the same type of grooves.
The 50-øre coin will not change design and will therefore continue to have a smooth edge.
Where can I buy the new coins?
Danmarks Nationalbank no longer produces its own coin sets. Coin and stamp dealer Nordfrim will release a commemorative coin set with the new circulation coins under licence from Danmarks Nationalbank.
Find out more about the coin set at www.nordfrim.dk.