Norway is a thriving country touching the North and Barents Seas. It reaches out to Russia Finland and Sweden. On the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Norway exports oil from the North Sea as well as fish and pulp and paper. Its currency traded under NOK is the krone (plural kroner). In the monetary system 100 øre equal 1 krone
History
The country of Norway has been under the control of several different nations. During these periods, the currency related to the controlling country or major trading partner. The first coins were Roman, then, in the 9th century, Anglo-Saxon Frankish coins and even Islamic dirhems came into usage. However, between 980s and 1050, Norway had Anglo-Saxon and German coins all across the country. During this era, the English impact began to decline and the Norwegian effects to increase.
During the reigns of King Olaf Tryggvason (995-1000) and Olaf Haraldson (1015-1030), the English influence remained. Under King Harrald Haraldsson (1047-1066) the silver pennies began to assume a more Norwegian style of design with the Triqueta. Except for the English influence in the coinage under Magnus IV (1263-1280), coins featured such things as a Norwegian lion holding an axe. This movement towards a Norwegian-style coin continued on-and-off until 1387 when Denmark inherited the Norwegian throne.
Between 1387 and 1815, Denmark minted a series of coins in skillings and marks. They also produced a “travel” dollar. They struck it to pay for the expenses incurred by the king traveling to and from Norway. They continued to supply their variation of the currency until Sweden conquered Norway in the early 19th century. The Swedish rulers continued to use the same monetary system of skilling and daler, but they placed their name on the coins. This, too, changed when the decimal system and the Scandinavian Monetary Union took shape in 1872.
Decimal coinage and banknotes appeared first after 185. This helped guide Norway into the creation of the Kingdom of Norway in 1905. The coinage continued to come into the marketplace unabated and with some changes between then and now. During the period of 1917-1921, the Norwegian mints used iron to replace the metals needed for war. During WWII, zinc became the metal of choice, the German occupiers set the standard of currency with the German coinage and German currency became part of the supply. During the wars, paper currency often took the place of coins in an attempt to save metal for the war effort.
After the war, the denominations and currency content began to alter. Krone coins replaced paper notes, while some coins left circulation. Particularly affected were the krone notes. No longer part of the currency lexicon are, 1, 5, 10 and 20 kroner banknotes. Today, banknotes consist of 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 kroner. Coins come in denominations of 50 øre and 1, 5, 10 and 20 kroner.
Obtaining Norwegian Kroners
You can easily obtain Norwegian kroner at banks and large post offices. Many of the banks do charge a fee. Check to see which do and at what rate. You can also use ATMs. They are widespread across the country.
Protecting Your Currency
Crime is usually of the “petty” variety. This is particularly true during the summer tourist season. Watch your belongings and valuables in train and bus stations as well as at the airport. Be careful in public places. Maintain the usual precautions and do not walk the streets alone after dark.
Using Your Norwegian Kroner
The Norwegian Kroner is a good way to learn about a country and its price system. Take your kroner with you when you go shopping for gifts and souvenirs. Consider some of the products associated with Norway. While you may have trouble taking home, knives and cheese slicers, it is possible to pack up knitwear. Consider cardigans, mittens and scarves. There are goat and reindeer skins, dinnerware, pewter silverware and flatware. An intriguing gift can be one of the many different style trolls you can find in souvenir and gift shops across the country.
Travel Tips and Warnings
- If you decide to go mountain trekking or climbing, be sure to hire a professional guide for the high-altitude type. Always stay on the trails and do not hike alone.
- If you plan to do walking or hiking in the woods, be aware of the possibility you may contract tick-borne encephalitis.
- You cannot drive and use a cell phone at the same time. The only exceptions are hands-free sets. If caught, you face a maximum fine of $700.
- Head to Oslo and its Castle Park. There is the Munch Museum and the Contemporary Art Museum. You can also go to the Resistance Museum or the Viking Ship Museum with its remains of 3 burial Viking ships.
- Ski at Lillehammer or head to the beaches at Kristansand.
- You must visit the Western Fjords and walk on the Jostedalsbreen glacier in Jotunheimen National Park.
- Ride the Oslo-Bergen Railway, visit Tromsø beyond the Arctic Circle or take a ferry or boat to the Loften Islands
Overview
Norway
on the rugged Scandinavian Peninsula is a homogenous country with a
high standard of living. Its economy has grown rapidly over the past
few years with its exploitation of North Sea oil and petroleum.
For travel information, see www.visitnorway.com.
Currency Summary
Current currency: krone plural kroner
100 øre equal 1 krone
Coins: 50 øre; 1, 5, 10 and 20 kroner
Banknotes: 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 kroner