🔎 About the 1942 Danish 25 Øre Coin

Issued during the German occupation of Denmark (1940–1945), the 25 Øre coin of 1942 reflects both wartime adaptation and a sense of national continuity. Despite foreign control, Danish currency retained traditional motifs and royal symbols.

The obverse features the crowned monogram of King Christian X, who, despite the occupation, remained a highly respected national figure. The reverse displays the denomination flanked by decorative wheat ears — a symbol of agriculture and resilience.

Specifications:

• Material: Zinc

• Weight: 3.6 grams

• Diameter: 23 mm

• Edge: Plain

• Mintmark: Often without one; minted in Copenhagen

• Obverse: Monogram of King Christian X with crown

• Reverse: “25 ØRE” with stylized ears of grain

This coin was part of a broader transition to zinc coinage during the war, as Denmark, like many other European nations, redirected metals like copper and nickel toward military use.

🕰 Historical Context

When Germany occupied Denmark in April 1940, the Danish monarchy and government chose a path of cooperation rather than resistance, hoping to preserve some degree of national autonomy. Coins like this 25 Øre continued to be issued under Danish designs, with no overt Nazi imagery, unlike in many other occupied territories.

King Christian X became a quiet symbol of national pride — famously continuing his daily horseback rides through Copenhagen without German escort, a gesture that made him beloved by Danes and admired abroad.

💡 Collecting Notes

• Wartime Metal: Zinc coins corrode easily — yours may already show signs of oxidation, which is common and historically authentic.

• Cultural Symbolism: The crowned monogram of Christian X makes this coin a favorite among collectors of WWII-era monarchies.

• Thematic Set: This coin pairs well with other occupation-era issues from Scandinavia and Europe, providing a nuanced look at how different nations preserved identity under pressure.

Though often passed from hand to hand in difficult times, your 25 Øre coin from 1942 carries more than just monetary history — it embodies Denmark’s quiet strength and the dignity of a nation under occupation.