Catalog
10 Krónur Althing
| Issuer | Iceland |
|---|---|
| Year | 1930 |
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| Currency | Old króna (1885-1980) |
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| Obverse description | A robed, enthroned king — evoking the legendary ruler of Thule — occupies the central field, flanked on either side by a kneeling nude figure rendered in a classically inspired allegorical style. The composition is set against a panoramic background featuring a radiant sun, open sea, and mountainous terrain, lending the design a dramatic, romantic character. The engraver's initials 'E. J.' appear in the field. |
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| Reverse script | Latin |
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| Additional information |
Struck to commemorate the millennial anniversary of the Althing, the world's oldest surviving parliamentary institution, founded at Þingvellir in 930 AD. Iceland was still a Danish dependency in 1930 — full sovereignty wouldn't come until 1944 — which made this coin a pointed assertion of national identity, issued at a moment when Icelandic independence sentiment was sharpening. The Althing itself had been suspended by Denmark from 1799 to 1845, a suppression that only deepened its symbolic importance to Icelanders.
Mintage was extremely limited, as the piece was never intended for circulation. The 45mm diameter and heavy silver content place it firmly in the medallic issue category, though it retains legal tender status.