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In Denmark, the arrival of a new monarch brings changes not only to the Court but also to the wallets of its citizens. King Frederick X (Frederick of Denmark) now has his own coins in circulation, the first in over half a century to feature a face other than that of his mother, Queen Margrethe II. And what is most striking for a Spanish reader: these new Danish coins were minted in Spain, at the Royal Mint (Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre). The result is a historic renewal of the Danish krone series with a Spanish stamp, a fact that is generating excitement both in Denmark and among numismatists.
A historic change in the Danish currency
The introduction of these coins marks a historic event: it is the first time since 1972 (when Margrethe II ascended the throne) that Denmark has changed the royal effigy on its everyday coins. Following Margrethe II's abdication in January 2024, her son Frederik assumed the throne as Frederick X, thus initiating the tradition of updating the national currency with the image of the new sovereign. This tradition of reflecting the monarchy on coinage dates back more than a thousand years – the first Danish coin bearing a king's name was that of King Sweyn Tveskæg around the year 995. Since then, Danish kings have always been represented on coins through a portrait, a monogram, or their name, as a symbol of the coin's guarantee and authenticity.
King Frederick X is no stranger to this custom. In fact, even before ascending the throne, his image had already appeared on Danish commemorative coins. In 1986, as Crown Prince, he was featured on a commemorative coin for his 18th birthday, and in 2004 on another to mark his wedding. More recently, in November 2024, a special 20-krone “transition coin” was issued to commemorate the change of reign, with a unique design: the portrait of the new king on one side and that of the outgoing queen on the other. That transitional (legal tender) coin was the symbolic prelude to what is now a full reality: Denmark is launching its new series of regular coins featuring the face and symbols of King Frederick X.
Coinage made in Spain: the FNMT wins the game
What makes these coins especially interesting for Spain is that they bear the hallmark of our Royal Mint. After many years of not minting its currency domestically, the National Bank of Denmark (Danmarks Nationalbank) opted to outsource the production of its coins. From 2017 to 2024, it had entrusted this task to the Finnish Mint, but upon the expiration of that contract, a European-wide public tender was launched to select a new supplier. The Spanish Royal Mint (Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre – Real Casa de la Moneda) , with facilities in Madrid and Burgos, was selected after submitting the most advantageous offer in terms of price, quality, and corporate social responsibility. The agreement, announced in January 2025, covers the minting of the Danish coins for the next four years. In other words, the new coins bearing the effigy of Frederick X are literally “made in Spain,” manufactured entirely at the Spanish Royal Mint.
This Spanish-Danish collaboration reinforces the international prestige of the FNMT-RCM, an institution with extensive experience in the production of circulating currency (it not only produces Spain's euro coins but has also collaborated with other countries). This step is also viewed very positively in Copenhagen. “The National Bank of Denmark has greatly valued the good relationship with the Finnish Mint. We now look forward to beginning a new chapter with the Royal Mint of Spain, continuing the tradition of issuing coins with an emphasis on high quality and reliability,” stated Niels Kaas, Chief Cashier of the Danish institution. Production in Madrid is carried out under strict security measures and quality controls overseen by the National Bank itself, ensuring that every Danish krone “made in Spain” meets the required high standards.
Redesigned: from royal portrait to monogram
The new 20 Danish kroner coin features the profile of King Frederick X on its obverse , with the Danish inscription “Frederik X – Danmarks Konge” (Frederik X, King of Denmark) around the edge, and a small heart as the traditional mint mark. The reverse displays the full royal coat of arms beneath the royal crown, along with the face value “20 KRONER” and the year of minting.
Following long-standing Danish tradition, the higher denomination coins bear the portrait of the reigning monarch. Both the 20-krone and 10-krone coins share this obverse design, featuring the effigy of Frederick X facing right, a work by sculptor Eva Hjorth, the same artist who created the last portrait of Margrethe II that appeared on previous coins. Surrounding the royal profile is the inscription “Frederik X – Danmarks Konge” (Frederik X – King of Denmark), clearly identifying the monarch and his title. On the reverse, these large coins display the conjevåben, or coat of arms of the Kingdom of Denmark, a detailed emblem that includes the shield with the three lions and hearts, surmounted by the royal crown of Christian V. It is worth noting that this complete coat of arms has not adorned Danish coins since 1973, when the first coins of Margrethe II were issued after her accession to the throne, underscoring the solemn nature of this renewal.
The 1, 2, and 5 kroner coins (smaller in size, with the characteristic central hole) feature the royal monogram of Frederick X on the obverse , along with the year of issue. On the reverse, in addition to the face value and the word "Danmark," they incorporate a new graphic icon consisting of four interlocking octagons.
On the lower denominations, the King's personal insignia takes center stage. As with previous monarchs, the royal monogram —the sovereign's intertwined initials surmounted by the royal crown—appears engraved on the obverse of the 1, 2, and 5 kroner coins. This monogram was designed by heraldic artist Ronny Skov Andersen following the proclamation of Frederick X in 2014 and adapted by Nationalbanken's chief designer, Jeanette Skov Jensen, to fit harmoniously around the central hole of these coins. Meanwhile, the reverse of the smaller coins features a new element: a motif of four interlocking octagons. This geometric element is not arbitrary but is inspired by Amalienborg Square (which has an octagonal layout), the site of the royal palace in Copenhagen. The four shapes represent the four palaces surrounding the square, symbolizing the union between the Royal House and the Danish people around this historic location.
Despite the changes, certain traditional details remain. For example, the 10 and 20 kroner coins retain the tiny heart ♥ as their mint mark, a symbol Denmark has used since the 19th century to identify its coin production. Likewise, all denominations, diameters, and materials remain the same as the previous series, ensuring compatibility with existing vending machines, shopping carts, and automatic counters. Essentially, only the design has changed, not the physical characteristics, facilitating a smooth transition.
Finally, it's worth clarifying that the 50 øre (half-krone) fractional coin remains unchanged. This small coin bears no symbol of the monarch—in fact, it features a neutral design with a royal crown—so the decision was made not to update it or issue new 50 øre coins. As a result, the new Danish coinage comprises five updated denominations (1, 2, 5, 10, and 20 kroner) plus the 50 øre coin, which retains its previous design. All of them, old and new, are legal tender and will continue to circulate among Danes for years to come.
From factory to pocket: gradual rollout
The official presentation of the new coins took place on November 14, 2025, when the Governor of the Bank of Denmark presented King Frederick X with a complete set of the newly minted coins at a ceremony in Amalienborg Palace. Following this, the logistics for their distribution were prepared. December 2, 2025, was the date on which the Nationalbanken (National Bank of Denmark) released the first batches of the new coins into circulation. From that day forward, Danes may begin to encounter these coins bearing the King's image in their regular change, initially only sporadically. Nokas, the cash-in-transit company responsible for cash handling in Denmark, explained that in the following days, some coins would begin to appear at the cash registers of supermarkets, gas stations, and other businesses as change was replenished.
The currency renewal process will be gradual and organic. No currency has been withdrawn from circulation all at once; instead, the National Bank will gradually replace worn or damaged old coins with new ones as they pass through the banking system. All coins featuring Margrethe II remain valid and circulate alongside those of Frederick X without restriction. Over time, it is expected that coins with the current King's image will become more prevalent in everyday use, but there will be no forced change: both designs will share the spotlight for several years. For Danish users and merchants, this means they don't need to do anything special – they can receive or give both old and new coins, as both are equally valid. The five new coins maintain the same size and weight as the previous ones, so vending machines and counting equipment accept them without adjustment. This ensures a smooth transition, where innovation and tradition go hand in hand.
Denmark, a country with a strong monarchical tradition, has seized this change of throne as an opportunity to revitalize its national currency, involving the experienced Spanish mint in the process. The result is a set of coins that combine new royal symbols, modern design, and technical excellence, while respecting the historical legacy of the Danish crown. For Spaniards, knowing that the coins bearing the image of the King of Denmark have been minted in Spain is a source of pride and curiosity. And for Danes, receiving these gleaming crowns with the face of their new King Frederick X is another tangible reminder of the new era that is beginning, with a touch of Spanish influence accompanying them in every daily transaction. Monarchy, tradition, and monetary innovation united in the palm of your hand!
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