Description

Commemorative coin marking the death of Frederick VIII and accession of Christian X.

Frederick VIII (1843–1912) was King of Denmark from 1906 to 1912. Before his accession to the throne at age 62, he served as crown prince for 42 years. During the long reign of his father, King Christian IX, he was largely excluded from influence and political power.

Christian X (1870–1947) was the King of Denmark from 1912 to 1947 and the only king of Iceland (where the name was officially Kristján X), between 1918 and 1944. In spite of becoming unpopular due to his resistance to democracy, during the German Occupation of Denmark he did become a popular symbol of resistance to German occupation, particularly because of the symbolic value of the fact that he rode every day through the streets of Copenhagen unaccompanied by guards. He also became the subject of a persistent urban legend according to which, during Nazi occupation, he donned the Star of David in solidarity with the Danish Jews. With a reign spanning two world wars, and his role as a rallying symbol for Danish national sentiment during the German Occupation, he has become one of the most popular Danish monarchs of modern times.

Engraver: Andreas Frederik Vilhelm Hansen (AH, 1908-1924).