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The 20-krone with the changed motif on the reverse side was issued on 21 August 2003.
Portrait of the Queen
The dominating decoration of the 20-krone coin is a portrait of the Queen, in keeping with the tradition for the highest values of the Danish coin series. The portrait is the work of the Sculptor, Professor Mogens Møller, and has been used on coins minted since 2001.
A heart
Between "Margrethe II" and "Danmarks Dronning" is a small heart, called a mint mark. This is a symbol of the place of minting, the Royal Danish Mint. The tradition of using the heart goes back many centuries and originally showed the identity of the mint master, and later the place of minting. Today the mint mark serves no practical purpose since Danish coins are only minted in one place. The year of minting is shown at the bottom of the coin.
The small coat of arms on the reverse
The reverse of the 20-krone coin depicts the small coat of arms. It comprises three lions and nine hearts under one crown. The three crowned lions have been used by Danish kings for the last 800 years. In the 16th century the number of hearts was set at nine. The hearts may not be hearts at all, but heraldic lily leaves (floating hearts) which in turn may be derived from linden leaves. The crown rests on four oak leaves that help to emphasise the connection between the lions and the crown. The reverse of the 20-krone coin is likewise designed by the Sculptor, Professor Mogens Møller and is used for coins minted as from 2003.
Previous versions
The shown versions of previously issued 20-krone coins in the present coin series are still legal tender.
The portrait is changed from time to time to ensure a contemporary portrait which is as close a likeness as possible. Two different portraits of the Queen have previously been used in the present coin series. The two portraits are by respectively the Sculptress Hanne Varming (used in 1989-93) and the Medallist Jan Petersen (used in 1994-99). No ordinary 20-krone coins for circulation were minted in 2000.
Previous versions of the 20-krone coin in the present coin series.
The first 20-krone coin in the present coin series was issued on 10 April 1990.
A change has also been made to the reverse of the 20-krone coin. The ornamental decoration around the small coat of arms has been removed as from 2003, and the lions in the small coat of arms have been made more distinct, while the crown - now resting on four oak leaves - has been made simpler but still contains fine details.
Technical specifications
The 20-krone coin is of aluminium bronze. The coin has a diameter of 27.0 mm, weighs 9.3 g, a thickness of 2,35 mm and has a rim with interrupted milling.
Commemorative coins
In addition to the coins with the three portraits shown, a number of 20-krone coins bear different portraits. These are commemorative coins which are minted to mark special events in the Royal Family. These special 20-krone coins are of the same alloy and dimensions as the ordinary 20-krone coins, and can be found among coins in circulation.
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