Norway · 1957 · 50 øreThe year 1957 is particularly significant for Norway. Haakon VII, King of Norway from 1905 to 1957, died on September 23, 1957. This coin is therefore part of the last series of coins in circulation issued under his reign, which was marked by his crucial role during World War II (refusal to accept the Nazi puppet government and exile to London) and post-war reconstruction. The year 1957 is the year of the transfer of power: King Olav V (the son of Haakon VII) succeeded him. A new series of coins was indeed introduced in 1958 with the portrait of Olav V. The coin itself was not put into circulation on a single significant day, but it represents the year of the death of the very respected and loved king, Haakon VII, which makes it an important numismatic milestone between two reigns.
At the centre, one sees the crowned monogram of King Haakon VII (a large 'H' and a large '7' intertwined). Around, the legend in Norwegian: HAAKON DEN SJUENDE NORGES KONGE (Haakon the Seventh King of Norway). Under the monogram, one notices the mint mark of the Kongsberg mint (a crossed hammer).
At the centre, the coat of arms of Norway: a lion standing holding an axe in a crowned shield. At the top, the inscription NORGE (Norway), the date, 1957, is divided on either side of the shield. At the bottom, the face value, 50 ØRE, that is half a crown.
Actual size compared with the 2 € and 1 € coins. Thickness: 1.7 mm.
10 øre1953 · 15 mm
1 øre1957 · 16 mm
25 øre1960 · 16.9 mm
2 øre1954 · 21 mm
50 øre1961 · 21.7 mm
1 krone1956 · 25 mm
5 øre1955 · 27.1 mm