Denmark

The Kingdom of Denmark is a constitutional monarchy on the Baltic and North Seas. Part of the Scandinavian region of Europe, Denmark touches borders with Germany and juts out into the North Sea facing Sweden and Norway. It is a country with a modern economy of mixed agricultural products and manufactured goods. The unit of currency is the krone. One hundred øre are equal to 1 krone. It trades as DKK.

History

Roman coins made their way into the region in the early centuries. During the 10th century, the Viking period, remelted coins comprised silver dirhems. The early coins obtained inspiration from the design of the Carolingian Empire currency. Denmark even mimicked the money from the Netherlands. Yet, one prominent and consistent design was a ship. Also in use was the cross.

After 1000, the English currency exerted a greater influence. Under the first Danish King, Sweyn Forkbeard, silver penninge appeared bearing some relation to the Danegeld from England at the time. The interconnection between the two countries continued under Cnut the Great, King of England and Denmark from 1016 to 1035.

In the Medieval period, Valdemar II (1202-1241) produced coinage. Among them is the first record of dated European coinage, a penning with an inscription Anno Domini Mccxxxiii. This came before an influx of foreign coins in the 14th century. The result was a new coinage system based on the German witten. This coin, the hvid, appeared as first a city and then a royal issue. Large silver coins also came on the market in the 15th century, copying a Hanseatic money move. Gold coins also began to appear. The first “noble” dates from around 1496. The kingof thisperiod, King Hans (1561-1513) also introduced a gulden aping the Rhineland gulden.

During the next two centuries, Denmark began to borrow from the European tradition. This meant gulden and dalers. These coins were large in size and of gold or silver. Coins also appeared representing two separate factions in the Civil War during 1533. Yet, by 1540, coin standards began to improve until, by 1544, the basis of today’s Danish currency began to make its mark.

The basic of early Danish coinage was the skilling, the mark and the daler. In the 17th century, while these coins remained, the krone began to be the common currency. The roll of paper money also became more important in the early 17th century. Yet, by the early 1900s, the Danish money fell, collapsing under the weight of the Napoleonic War and other factors. It did not stabilize until the middle of the century.

The Denmark government accepted the gold standard in1873. Dimal coinage now noted 100 øre equals 1 krone. Banknotes under the kroner also appeared from 1875 onwards. Specifically there were the 10, 50, 100 and 500 kroner notes. A 1 kroner note came in 1898 followed by a 5-kroner note in 1914. The system remained stable until the fallout of WWII.

After the war, a relatively stable country removed the 5 kroner in 1960, replacingit with a coin of the same value. In 1972, 1,000-krone notes appeared and in 1979, a coin replaced the 10-kroner note. A 20-kron-note came into being, although it now is no longer being minted.
Today, coins of 25 and 50 øre are minted as are 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 kroner. Banknotes consist of 50, 100, 200, 50 and 1,000 krone.

Obtaining Danish Krone

It is not difficult to purchase Danish krone or kroner. They are readily available through bank exchanges. The problem may be the cost. The banks charge a heavy fee. Smaller institutions may be bale to offer you a better rate. Kroner are also available through ATMs. They are prominent across the country. You can locate them in banks, hotels and even supermarkets.

Protecting Your Currency

Crime is not a big problem in Denmark. The usual precautions are necessary. There are also areas of higher possibilities of petty crime. Pickpocketing and purse and luggage snatching are more prevalent at hotels, the train station and airport in Copenhagen.

Using Your Danish Krone

Currency is more readily acceptable than many foreign credit cards. Spend it in the crowded bars of Copenhagen or use it to take the ferry to any of the outlying islands.
Purchase traditional products with it. Denmark is home to many artisans and crafts people. Purchase furniture or clay, sculpture or jewelry.

Travel Tips and Warnings

• There are no serious travel warnings for Denmark.
• Enjoy the beauties of this country. Take a walking tour in Copenhagen and visit Tivoli Gardens.
• At Hillerød, there is the impressive castle of Frerderik Slot while in Helsingør you can see the 16th century “Elsinore” Castle of Kronborg slot.
• Look out over the chalk cliffs of Møn or visit the island of Bornholm.
• There are the impressive museums of Århus and, no visit is complete for the child or the child in you if you miss Legoland in Billard.

Overview

Denmark is a country bordering Germany but having more in common with the Nordic or Scandinavian countries across the Baltic and North Sea. With a proud Viking past, it embraces the present free market system but retains its own coinage.
For travel information see www.denmark.dk.  

Currency Summary

Current currency: krone
100 øre equals 1 krone
Coins: 25 and 50 øre and 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 krone
Banknotes: 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 krone.