2004 Norway 100Kr Silver Proof "Independence"

Central Bank of Norway is issuing a series of six commemorative coins to mark the 2005 centennial celebrations of the dissolution of the union with Sweden in 1905. The program consists of three silver and three gold coins that will be issued in pairs.

The first pair of coins were issued on November 27, 2003, the day that king Haakon VII was sworn in as regent before the Norwegian parliament in 1905. This pair was released on September 23, 2004, which marks the day that a peaceful compromise was entered into by Norway and Sweden in Karlstad in 1905. The last pair will be issued on June 7, 2005, which is the 100th anniversary of the parliamentary resolution that dissolved the union and declared Norway to be an independent nation in 1905.

The reverse designs will mirror Norway through this century of change and innovation, developing from an agricultural to a modern society that is facing the challenge from a highly technological future. Designed by Danuta Haremska, the reverse of the silver issue for 2004 shows the ocean as a broad horizontal section on the coin's table, with an oil drilling platform on its surface. All obverse designs will be the same through the three years and consist of a triple portrait of the three regents of the period: H.M. King Harald V, king Olav V and king Haakon VII, modeled by Øivind Hansen. The edge of the coin is smooth.

Minted in 92.5% sterling silver by the Royal Norwegian Mint, this proof coin carries a diameter of 39 mm and a weight of 33.80 g (1 oz. fine silver). The worldwide issue limit is 65,000 pcs.