Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 20 Kroner 1990-1993, KM# 871, Denmark, Margrethe II
  • 20 Kroner 1990-1993, KM# 871, Denmark, Margrethe II
Description

Margrethe II (born 16 April 1940) is the Queen of Denmark. She is also the supreme authority of the Church of Denmark and Commander-in-Chief of the Danish Defence. Born into the House of Glücksburg, a royal house with origins in Northern Germany, she was the eldest child of Frederick IX of Denmark and Ingrid of Sweden. She succeeded her father upon his death on 14 January 1972, having had become heir presumptive to her father in 1953, when a constitutional amendment allowed women to inherit the throne. On her accession, Margrethe became the first female monarch of Denmark since Margaret I, ruler of the Scandinavian kingdoms in 1375–1412 during the Kalmar Union. In 1967, she married Henri de Laborde de Monpezat, with whom she has two sons: Crown Prince Frederik (born 1968) and Prince Joachim (born 1969). She has been on the Danish throne for 45 years, becoming the second-longest-reigning Danish monarch after her ancestor Christian IV.

Obverse

Depicts a second portrait of the Queen Margrethe II to the right, in keeping with tradition for the highest denominations in a Danish coin series. The portrait is changed from time to time to ensure a contemporary portrait which is as close a likeness as possible.

Between "Margrethe II" and "Danmarks Dronning" is a small heart. The heart (♥) is the Royal Danish Mint mark (h, Copenhagen). The use of the heart is a century-old tradition, originally indicating the mint master, later the place of minting. Today, the mint mark serves no practical purpose since Danish coins are minted in only one place.

· Mintmaster: Laust Grove (LG)
· Engraver: Jan Petersen (JP)
· Designer: Johan Alkjær (initial as a Celtic letter A after year of issue on the obverse)

MARGRETHE II ♥ DANMARKS DRONNING
LG JP
1990 A

Reverse

Crowned Denmark coat of arms in circle, ornamental decoration, value below.

The national coat of arms of Denmark consists of three pale blue lions passant wearing crowns, accompanied by nine red lilypads (normally represented as hearts), all in a golden shield. It is historically the coat of arms of the House of Estridsen, the dynasty which provided the Kings of Denmark between 1047 and 1412. The current design was introduced in 1819, under Frederick VI. Previously, there had been no distinction between the "national" and the "royal" coat of arms. Since 1819, there has been a more complex royal coat of arms of Denmark (kongevåben) separate from the national coat of arms (rigsvåben).

The crown on the shield is a heraldic construction based on the crown of King Christian V. The sovereign's crown is the most important Royal and State symbol and represents national sovereignty. Since 1671 the crown of Christian V, which is kept at Rosenborg Palace, has been the Royal Danish crown. Made by Paul Kurtz in Copenhagen, 1670–1671. Gold with enamel and table-cut stones. Total weight 2080 g. Also 2 garnets and 2 sapphires, of which the largest dates back to Frederick I of Denmark.

Engraver: Johan Alkjær (A)

20 KRONER

Edge

20 Kroner

2nd portrait
KM# 871
Characteristics
Material Aluminium Bronze
Weight 9.3 g
Diameter 27 mm
Thickness 2.35 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Royal Danish Mint

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