Norges Bank is issuing a series of commemorative coins to mark the event. The coin series comprises three gold and three silver coins. The first two coins, one gold and one silver, were 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 Hundreårsmarkeringen - Norge 2005 AS (Norge 2005) (The Centennial Celebration - Norway 2005 Ltd.), which is in charge of the official programme. Norge 2005 is responsible for marketing and sale of the coins.

The gold coins have a face value of NOK 1 500 and will be minted in an issue limited to 10 000 coins. The face value of the silver coins is NOK 100, and each was minted in an issue limited to 65 000 in 2003 and 2004. The silver coin in 2005 will be minted in 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 Øivind 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.

Pictures and descriptions of the coins are available on our website. For further information about the coins, please contact Director Trond Eklund at Norges Bank, tel. +47 22 31 63 01. For information about the Centennial Celebration, Norge 2005, and ordering and sale of coins, please call Norge 2005, tel. +47 22 32 20 00.