1848, Denmark, Frederick VII. Large Silver Speciedaler Coin.
Mint year: 1854 Engraver: Fredrik Christopher Krohn (FK) Mint Master: Georg Wilhelm Svendsen (VS) Mint Place: Copenhagen (privy mark: crown) References: Davenport 75, KM-742 Denomination: Speciedaler – Commemorating the death of Christian VIII & accession of Frederik VII Weight: 28.76gm Diameter: 38mm Material: Silver
Obverse: Bare head of Frederick VII right. Engraver´s initials (FK) below bust´s truncation. Inner Legend: FÖLKETS KJAEHLIGHED MIN STYRKE. ("The people’s love, my strength!") Legend: FREDERIK VII – KONGE AF DENMARK Exergue: V 18 (privy mark: crown) 54 S
Reverse: Wreathed head of Christian VIII of Denmark right. Value (1 SPECIES) in legend below. Inner Legend: DOD DEN 20 JANUAR 1848 ("Died on 20th January 1848") Legend: CHRISTIAN VIII – KONGE AF DANMARK . 1 SPECIES .
Frederick VII (Frederik Carl Christian) (6 October 1808 – 15 November 1863) was King of Denmark. He reigned from 1848 until his death. He was the last Danish monarch of the older Royal branch of the House of Oldenburg, and also the last king of Denmark to rule as an absolute monarch. During his rule, he signed a constitution that gave Denmark a parliament and made the country a constitutional monarchy.
Frederick VII managed to make himself one of the most beloved of the Danish Kings of recent times. This was probably due to his giving up absolutism but also to his personality. In spite of many weaknesses confirmed by his contemporaries — drinking, eccentric behavior, etc. — he also possessed something of a gift as an actor. He could be both folksy and genuinely hearty, being able to appear as a ”simple, yet dignified monarch”. During his many travels throughout Denmark he cultivated his contacts with the common man.