Denmark - Travel/Philately/Numismatics/Memorabilia Profile

Denmark, a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe consists of a large peninsula bordering Germany, the islands of Jutland, and Fyn along with hundreds of minor islands referred to as the Danish Archipelago. The country has a total land area of 16,640 square miles and a population of over 5.5 million. Denmark has many accolades to its credit in the recent past – ranked first as the happiest place on earth based on health, welfare and education, ranked second as the least corrupt country and ranked as the second most peaceful country. Since 1971 Denmark has taken a progressive stance on environmental preservation and Copenhagen has been voted as the most environment friendly city in the world. The local terrain is flat with some rolling plains. The main industries are food processing, textile, fishing, furniture, shipbuilding, clothing and electronics.

Travel Resources:

The best time to visit Denmark is during the peak season from May to August when the weather is at its best and the days significantly longer. Even at peak tourist season, the crowd is nowhere near that of France, Italy or Germany. Surprisingly many of their holidays and festivals are during peak winter, making Christmas time a desirable time to be in Copenhagen. The major attractions are the Kronborg Castle, the scenic 10-mile Oresund Bridge connecting Denmark and Sweden, Bornholm Island, Original Legoland, etc. Danes eat a hearty breakfast – typical lunch is stacked up sandwich called smorrebrod – dinner is American style food with a danish touch (roast pork with red cabbage). Danish specialties worth a sample are the Danish meatballs, the Danish omelet and the Danish hamburger patties topped with fried onions and coated with a rich brown gravy.

Resource	ISBN or ASIN	Best Price	Description
Denmark Eyewitness Travel Guides	978-0756661441	$17	Packed with great illustrations and cutaways and floor plans of the major sites.
Frommer’s Copenhagen Day by Day	978-0470699539	$10	Features 19 self-guided tours and 29 maps. Includes tear-resistant foldout map.
Denmark Travel Map	978-1845377373	$10	Globetrotter. One detailed area map, three town maps, and one transport map included.
Laminated Copenhagen Map by Borch	978-3866093539	$10	1:11,000 scale. Includes inset maps of Copenhagen Region, Sjaelland, and Copenhagen public transport. Sites, beaches, golf courses, parking, etc marked.
Denmark Grounded Adapter Plug – GUB	B001FD5DLM	$8

Philatelic Profile:

The first stamps of Denmark are a set of two stamps released in 1851. The set (Scott #1, #2) catalogs for around $4700 MNH and $1000 for used. The design on Scott #1 shows the denomination in the center as the main design in blue. This was the precursor to the long-running numeral issues of Denmark. On Scott #2, the design shows a royal emblem (crown, sword, and sceptre) in the center. A few different variations on the royal emblem design followed in the years till 1870. All of these issues are valuable with the lower denominations starting in the fifties while the higher ones go as high as $750. Denmark released a set of stamps between the 1870 and 1871 time period in the Numerals theme. Each stamp in the set (Scott #16 to #24) catalogs for between $70 and $1800 Mint and between $7 and $2900 used. Scott #21 (2s gray and blue) is the rarest cataloging for $1800 and $2900 respectively for mint and used.

Denmark released a stamp in 1912 showing the General Post Office in Copenhagen. The stamp (Scott #82) catalogs for around $500 MNH and $100 used. It is Denmark’s first pictorial stamp and has a striking design in dark red. Numeral issues along with issues portraying the King Christian (X, IX, IV) were the mainstay of Danish stamp issues during the period till 1927. The only variation was a set of three stamps (Scott #156 to #158) released on October 5, 1920 to mark the Reunion of Northern Schleswig with Denmark.  These issues were followed by a few surcharge overprints on earlier issues – most of the overprints from the period are not especially valuable. Denmark released a set of six stamps in 1927 in the Caravel (a maneuverable sailing ship developed in the 15th century) theme. The set (Scott #192 to #197) catalogs for around $90 MNH and $2 used.

A number of early Danish issues were reissued over the years. Some are in long sets and there is reasonable philatelic interest for those sets. Other issues of Denmark enjoying good philatelic interest include:

1. A set of six stamps released on October 4, 1935 to mark the centenary of the publication of the first installment of Hans Christian Andersen’s “Fairy Tales.” The set (Scott #246 to #251) catalogs for around $66 MNH and $4 used. The designs show “The Ugly Duckling”, portrait of Andersen, and “The Little Mermaid”. Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875) is a Danish poet and author of famous children’s stories such as “The Little Mermaid”, “Thumbelina”, “The Ugly Duckling”, and “The Snow Queen”.
2. A set of three stamps in 1966 to publicize preservation of national treasures and ancient monuments. The set (Scott #426 to #428) is remarkably inexpensive at less than $2 for MNH and less than a dollar for used. The designs show Poorhouse of Copenhagen, Holte Allee Bregentved, and Grave (Dolmen) in Jutland.
3. A set of twenty two stamps released between 1982 and 1985 to mark the 10th anniversary of Queen Margrethe II’s Accession. The set (Scott #700 to #720A) catalogs for around $45 MNH and $18 used. The designs show a portrait of Queen Margrethe II and the State Seal. Queen Margrethe II became the first female Danish Sovereign in 1972.
4. A set of four stamps released on March 17, 1994 in the Castles theme. The set (Scott #1000 to #1003) catalogs for around $5 MNH or used. There is a booklet pane which catalog for slightly more. The designs show Marselisborg or Aarhus, Amalienborg of Copenhagen, Fredensborg of North Zealand, and Graasten of South Jultand. 

Numismatic Profile:

Denmark became a constitutional monarchy in 1849. Prior to this, coins of the Danish Kingdom were in use. Gold Coins were introduced as early as 1840. The first issues showed Head of Frederik VI in Obverse and Value and Date in Reverse. The trade coins termed Frederik D’or are very collectible and catalogs well into the 1000s – they enjoy a very good premium over bullion value. Frederik D’ors continued to be issued till 1886. Similar gold coins issued between 1841 and 1870 depicting kings Christian VIII and IX are termed Christian D’ors and they are also very collectible.

Numismatic items of Denmark include:

Item	Price Range	Description
Coins	$1 and up	Ores from the 1980s onward in UNC start around $1. UNCs from the 1950s onward start around $5. Aluminum-Bronze Tower coins from the 2000s start around $15. Commemorative Silver Coins from the 1950s onward in UNC start around $50. 18th century Skillings in VF, 19th century Kronerr’s in UNC go into the $100 range. Gold coins start well into the 100s.
Exonumia	$50 and up	Denmark medals from the 1970s onward start around $50. 19th century medals start around $100.
Paper Money	$5 and up	Recent banknotes in UNC start around $5. Kroners from the 1950s onward start around $10. High values from the 2000s in UNC start around $30. Large Rare banknotes, Replacements, etc go well into the 100s.

Collectible Memorabilia:

Edible souvenirs like chocolate, candy and licorice are very popular takeaways. Danish art and home accessories tend to be pricey but as they carry a unique appeal, they are well sought after too.

Resource	Price Range	Description
Decorative Collectibles	$15 and up	Bing and Grondahl, Georg Gensen, etc collectors plates start around $15. Royal Copenhagen bud vases and plates start around $25. Meka gold with enamel spoons start around $30. Porcelain figurines, Vases, and Castle bottles start upwards of $100.
Pottery and Glass	$10 and up	Dansk and Royal Copenhagen basic cups start around $10. Elaborate counterparts start upward of $30. Bjorn Winblad, L. Hjorth, Kastrup Holmegaard, Herman Kahler, Michael Andersen and Sons, etc vases start upwards of $100.
Art	$10 and up	19th century prints and posters start around $10. Original 19th century maps and documents start around $25. Bjorn Winblad original posters start around $50. Limited edition prints and posters start around $100. Works by I Hansen, Fritz Kraul, Hans Brygge etc go well in the 100s and 1000s.

Last Updated: 12/2015.