Final pair of coins to mark the centennial celebration 1905-2005: the final pair in Norges Bank's series of coins commemorating the end of Norway's union with Sweden was issued on 7 June 2005, the hundredth anniversary of the Storting resolution that led to the dissolution of the union with Sweden in 1905.

Norges Bank has issued a series of commemorative coins to mark the event. The coin series comprises three gold and three silver coins. The first pair was issued on 27 November 2003 to commemorate the day in 1905 when King Haakon VII took his oath in the Storting. The second pair was issued on 23 September 2004, the day in 1905 when Norway and Sweden came to an agreement in Karlstad regarding a peaceful dissolution of the union.

The coins have been issued in cooperation with Hundrearsmarkeringen--Norge 2005 AS (Norge 2005) (The Centennial Celebration--Norway 2005 Ltd.), which is in charge of the official programme marking the end of the union. Norge 2005 is responsible for marketing and sales of the coins.

The gold coins have a face value of NOK 1 500 and are being minted in an issue limited to 10 000 coins. The silver coins have a face value of NOK 100, and the issues in 2003 and 2004 were limited to 65 000 coins. The silver coin being issued in 2005 will have a maximum issue of 100 000. The coins are being produced on assignment from Norges Bank at Det Norske Myntverket AS.

The motif on the obverse (front) of the coin has been designed by former coin engraver Oivind Hansen. The motif on the front of the coin is the same for all of the coins and is a triple portrait of Norway's three kings during the period. The motif on the reverse (back) of the gold coins has been designed by sculptor Tomasz B. Ozdowski, while the motif on the reverse of the silver coins has been designed by sculptress Danuta Haremska. The motifs on the reverse of the coins depict Norway during a century of change, from an agricultural society to a modern society facing the challenges of a high-tech future.

The gold coin:

Diameter: 27 mm

Weight: 16.96 g

Alloy: 917/1000 Au, remainder Ag, i.e. 15.55 g fine gold (1/2 ounce)

Edge: Plain

Distinguishing characteristics

Obverse:

A triple portrait of Norway's three kings during the 100-year period. From right to left: H.M. Kong Harald V, King Olav V and King Haakon VII. Below the triple portrait is the motto of all three kings: ALT FOR NORGE (All for Norway). To the right under the triple...

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