The signature Swedish gold coin of the Scandinavian Monetary Union era: Oscar II’s 20 kronor, the bullion-grade crown that traded at par across Sweden, Denmark, and Norway. The obverse legend names him king of both Sweden and Norway, and the reverse carries his motto “Brödrafolkens väl” (the welfare of the brother peoples). Frequently traded as near-bullion world gold, and the anchor coin of any Scandinavian gold collection.
Key facts
- Struck 1872–1902 under Oscar II . Gold, .900 fine; weight 8.9606 g; diameter 23 mm; AGW 0.2593 oz (per Heritage Auctions lot data, e.g. the 1873-ST issue, KM733).
- Heritage records a mintage of 115,000 for the 1873-ST 20 kronor; the 1873 first-year issues are the most collected dates in the series.
- Obverse: portrait of Oscar II with legend “OSCAR II SVERIGES OCH NORGES KONUNG”; reverse: crowned arms of Sweden with the motto “BRÖDRAFOLKENS VÄL”.
- Identical in specification to the Danish 20 kroner and Norwegian 20 kroner — the three were interchangeable at par during the union’s gold-standard years. Cross-reference: countries/denmark/20-kroner-christian-ix-mermaid, countries/norway/20-kroner-gold.