Norway Olav V 10 Kroner

History

10 Kroner 1983-1991, KM# 427, Norway, Olav V

Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com

Description

Olav V (Alexander Edward Christian Frederik; 1903–1991) was King of Norway from 1957 until his death.

Olav was the only child of Haakon VII and Maud of Wales. He became heir apparent to the Norwegian throne when his father was elected King of Norway in 1905. He was the first heir to the Norwegian throne to be brought up in Norway since Olav IV, and his parents made sure he was given as Norwegian an upbringing as possible. In 1929, he married his first cousin Princess Märtha of Sweden. During World War II his leadership was much appreciated and he was appointed Norwegian Chief of Defence in 1944.

Due to his considerate, down-to-earth style, King Olav was immensely popular, resulting in the nickname Folkekongen ("The People's King"). In a 2005 poll by the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation, Olav was voted "Norwegian of the century".

Engraver: Øivind Hansen

Obverse	Person (king, queen, tsar etc.) Olav V Portrait of King Olav V of Norway facing left in a recessed field, engraver's mark Ø.H. below, inscription "Olav V, King of Norway" around. OLAV • V • NORGES • KONGE • Ø.H.
Reverse	Order, medal etc. Order of Saint Olav Denomination in a recessed field surrounded by the collar of the Order of St. Olav. Date and mintmarks below. The Royal Norwegian Order of Saint Olav is a Norwegian order of chivalry that was instituted by King Oscar I of Norway and Sweden on August 21, 1847, as a distinctly Norwegian order. It is named after King Olav II, known to posterity as St. Olav. Nobility was abolished in Norway in 1821. Just before the union with Sweden was dissolved in 1905, the Order of the Norwegian Lion was instituted in 1904 by King Oscar II, but it was not awarded by his successor Haakon VII. The Order of St. Olav thus became the kingdom's only order of chivalry for the next 80 years. The Grand Master of the order is the reigning monarch of Norway. It is awarded to individuals as a reward for remarkable accomplishments on behalf of the country and humanity. Since 1985, the order has only been conferred upon Norwegian citizens, though foreign heads of state and royalty are awarded the order as a matter of courtesy. Mintmark: ⚒ (crossed hammers, Kongsberg, Mint of Norway) Mintmaster's privy mark: K (Ole R. Kolberg) 10 KR ⚒ 19 83 K
Edge	Plain