THE
COINS OF
THE
FREE CITY OF CHRISTIANIA
(est.
1971)
FRISTADEN
CHRISTIANIA
1976-2008 - complete listings
Updated January 23rd, 2009
The Commune:
The Free City of Christiania is a democratic commune in Copenhagen,
Denmark, founded in September 26th, 1971 as an alternative society, an offspring of the Danish counter-cultural
movement and the student uprisings of the 1960s. The community appropriated
some abandoned navy barracks in Christianshavn and thus began an anarchistic
social experiment that has now successfully lasted more than 35 years.
The Coinage:
From 1976 onwards, a limited amount of “Fed” (fat, 1 gram) coins and a lone “Klump” (lump) coin, (whose
nicknames/values allude to portions/quantities of hashish, the personal use of
which is semi-legal within the Free City) have been minted. These began as an
experiment by artist Vagn Sorento Dichmann, but were met enthusiastically and
have been continued as a yearly tradition, reflecting in their design events
that have occurred in the last year.
Based on the success of the Fed coins, in December
1997 a new economic experiment was started in Christiania; a local currency
called the Løn (Wage) was introduced, valued at 50 Danish Krones. The local
currency is accepted by everyone in the Free State - by bars, restaurants, shops, artisans and the Christiania exchequer. The coins are issued by the Coin Group, a unit within the
Free State "government",
which initially uses them to pay the wages of Free State employees. After circulating within the local economy, coins are
eventually returned to the Coin Group by enterprises or individuals who wish to
exchange them for Danish kroner. Both the Fed coins and the Løn are highly
sought after by collectors in Denmark and elsewhere.
Why this page?
In 2004, I got tired of waiting for a new Christiania catalogue to appear, and after having heard about the plans for such a
catalogue for more than three years, but never having seen any concrete
results, I decided not to wait any longer and make my own list, based on the
coins I then had in my own collection. After lots of email correspondence and
(some) hard work, I made a comprehensive list of all the coins of Christiania up until 2004, as far as I knew of their existence.
Since my original list, there have been quite a few
additions, so I decided to keep the page going, even though MOST of the types
are now listed in Bruce’s Unusual World Coins
catalogue 4th edition (the reason they’re only partially listed is that I didn’t know
about the existence of many types, when I originally made the list for Colin
Bruce… Later correspondence, thanks to this site, brought the existence of more
types to light; this information was sent to Colin Bruce for the 5th edition but was unfortunately never included…)
The information on types, varieties & mintages
plus the background info I have is based on my correspondence with Vagn Sorento
Dichmann (alias “Sorento”, the talented designer of the Fed coins), Ditlev
Nissen (contact for Utopiske Horisonter, who’s also my ever friendly contact in
Christiania), “the Stigman” (a fellow enthusiast & numismatist) & on
the info from an article (in Danish) by Vagn Jensen. My utmost thanks go to
these four gentlemen!
If you're looking for Christiania coins yourselves, your best bet would be to contact Vagn Sorento
Dichmann (for "Fed" issues) or Ditlev Nissen (for "Løn"
issues) directly. Their emails are on Erik McCrea's "links" page,
underneath on this page. (LINKS)
Good coin hunting,
Chaim Shiboleth
If you have
coins (or scans) other than those on my list, please write me, so
that we may make this list complete. If you have additional information on
mintages etc., I will be happy to incorporate it in my next list.
If you want to
send me scans, please send these in GIF-format 150x150 pixels or as JPEG 300dpi
scans.
I have numbered the coins to make future reference easier:
F-numbers are Feds
K-numbers are Klumps
L-numbers are Løns
M-numbers are Medallic/exonumia
FED ISSUES
|
DESCRIPTION |
SCAN
|
|
CHR-F-01 (pipe / snake) Year: 1976
Metal:
silver Diameter: 28
mm Edge: plain Weight
(est.): 10.5 grams Mintage:
unknown (<200) |
|
|
CHR-F-02a (yin-yang / flower) Year: 1977
Metal:
copper Diameter: 31
mm Edge: plain Weight
(est.): 10 grams Mintage: 200 |
|
|
CHR-F-02b (yin-yang / flower) Year: 1977
Metal:
silver Diameter: 31
mm Edge: plain Weight
(est.): 11 grams Mintage:
200 Two varieties exist, one with thick flan (1.5mm)
& one with thin flan (0.8 mm) |
|
|
CHR-F-03 (uniface pattern, 10th
anniv.; no denomination on coin) Year: 1981 Metal:
silver Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain Weight
(est.): 11.5 grams Mintage:
unknown (<100), pattern |
|
|
CHR-F-04a (uniface pattern, Carnival;
no denomination on coin) Year: 1984 Metal:
copper Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain Weight
(est.): 10.5 grams Mintage: unknown (<100)
|
|
|
CHR-F-04b (uniface pattern, Carnival;
no denomination on coin) Year: 1984 Metal:
silver Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain Weight
(est.): 10.5 grams Mintage:
unknown (<100) |
|
|
CHR-F-05 (uniface pattern, Punk; no denomination
on coin, blank reverse) Year: 1984 Metal:
silver Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain Weight
(est.): 12 grams Mintage:
unknown (<100), pattern 05.1 variety: reverse marked 925, mintage included
above. |
|
|
CHR-F-06 (Dancing coin) Year: 1985 Metal:
silver Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain Weight (est.): 10.5 grams Mintage: 200 |
|
|
CHR-F-07a (Bogart coin) Year: 1988 Metal:
copper Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain Weight
(est.): 10 grams Mintage: 200 |
|
|
CHR-F-07b (Bogart coin) Year: 1988 Metal:
silver Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain Weight (est.): 10.5 grams Mintage: 200 |
|
|
CHR-F-07c (Bogart coin) Year: 1988 Metal:
brass Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain Weight
(est.): 10 grams Mintage:
reported, not confirmed |
|
|
CHR-F-08 (Dragon under hemp) Year: 1993 Metal:
silver Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain Weight (est.): 13.5 grams Mintage: 200 |
|
|
CHR-F-99 (PRØVE/ test coin) Year: 1996 Metal:
unknown Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain Weight
(est.): unknown Mintage: reported, not confirmed |
|
|
CHR-F-09a (Swimming dragon) Year: 1997 Metal:
brass Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain,
edge numbered Weight
(est.): 11 grams Mintage:
200 09a.1
variety: edge marked E.T. (Eget Tryk) 15 pcs., mintage included above |
|
|
CHR-F-09b (Swimming dragon) Year: 1997 Metal:
silver Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain,
edge numbered Weight
(est.): 10 grams Mintage:
200 09b.1
variety: edge marked E.T. (Eget Tryk) 15 pcs., mintage included above |
|
|
CHR-F-09c (Swimming
dragon) Year: 1997 Metal:
gold 22k Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain,
edge marked Weight
(est.): unknown Mintage:
unknown |
|
|
CHR-F-10a (3 entwined dragons) Year: 1998 Metal:
copper Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain,
edge numbered Weight
(est.): 11.5 grams Mintage:
200 010a.1
variety: edge marked E.T. (Eget Tryk) 15 pcs., mintage included above |
|
|
CHR-F-10b (3 Entwined dragons) Year: 1998 Metal:
silver Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain,
edge numbered Weight
(est.): 13.5 grams Mintage:
200 010b.1
variety: edge marked E.T. (Eget Tryk) 15 pcs., mintage included above |
|
|
CHR-F-10c (3 Entwined dragons) Year: 1998 Metal:
gold 22k Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain,
edge marked Weight
(est.): unknown Mintage:
unknown |
|
|
CHR-F-11a (Dove) Year: 1999 Metal:
copper Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain,
edge numbered Weight
(est.): 11.5 grams Mintage:
200 011a.1
variety: edge marked E.T. (Eget Tryk) 15 pcs., mintage included above |
|
|
CHR-F-11b (Dove) Year: 1999 Metal:
silver Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain,
edge numbered Weight
(est.): 13.5 grams Mintage:
200 011b.1
variety: edge marked E.T. (Eget Tryk) 15 pcs., mintage included above |
|
|
CHR-F-11c (Dove) Year: 1999 Metal:
gold 22k Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain,
edge marked Weight
(est.): unknown Mintage:
unknown |
|
|
CHR-F-12a (Millennium dragon) Year: 2000 Metal:
copper Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain,
edge numbered Weight
(est.): 11.5 grams Mintage:
200 012a.1
variety: edge marked E.T. (Eget Tryk) 15 pcs., mintage included above |
|
|
CHR-F-12b (Millennium dragon) Year: 2000 Metal:
silver Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain,
edge numbered Weight
(est.): 13.5 grams Mintage:
200 012b.1
variety: edge marked E.T. (Eget Tryk) 15 pcs., mintage included above |
|
|
CHR-F-12c (Millennium dragon) Year: 2000 Metal:
gold 22k Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain,
edge marked Weight
(est.): unknown Mintage: unknown |
|
|
CHR-F-13a (30th anniversary / skaters;
no denomination on coin) Year: 2001 Metal:
copper Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain,
edge numbered Weight
(est.): 11.5 grams Mintage:
200 13a.1
variety: edge marked E.T. (Eget Tryk) 15 pcs., mintage included above |
|
|
CHR-F-13b (30th anniversary / skaters;
no denomination on coin) Year: 2001 Metal:
silver Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain,
edge numbered Weight
(est.): 13.5 grams Mintage:
200 013b.1
variety: edge marked E.T. (Eget Tryk) 15 pcs., mintage included above |
|
|
CHR-F-13c (30th anniversary / skaters;
no denomination on coin) Year: 2001 Metal:
gold 22k Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain,
edge marked Weight
(est.): unknown Mintage: unknown |
|
|
CHR-F-14a (Togetherness) Year: 2002 Metal:
copper Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain,
edge numbered Weight
(est.): 11.5 grams Mintage:
200 014a.1
variety: edge marked E.T. (Eget Tryk) 15 pcs., mintage included above |
|
|
CHR-F-14b (Togetherness) Year: 2002 Metal:
silver Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain,
edge numbered Weight
(est.): 14.5 grams Mintage:
200 014b.1
variety: edge marked E.T. (Eget Tryk) 15 pcs., mintage included above |
|
|
CHR-F-14c (Togetherness) Year: 2002 Metal:
gold 22k Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain,
edge marked Weight
(est.): unknown Mintage: unknown |
|
|
CHR-F-15a (3 dogs / city view) Year: 2003 Metal:
copper Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain,
edge numbered Weight
(est.): 12 grams Mintage:
200 015a.1
variety: edge marked E.T. (Eget Tryk) 15 pcs., mintage included above |
|
|
CHR-F-15b (3 dogs / city view) Year: 2003 Metal:
silver Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain,
edge numbered Weight
(est.): 14.5 grams Mintage:
200 015b.1
variety: edge marked E.T. (Eget Tryk) 15 pcs., mintage included above |
|
|
CHR-F-15c (3 dogs / city view) Year: 2003 Metal:
gold 22k Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain,
edge marked Weight
(est.): unknown Mintage: unknown |
|
|
CHR-F-16a (beehive / phoenix) Year: 2005 Metal:
copper Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain,
edge numbered Weight
(est.): 12 grams Mintage:
200 016a.1
variety: edge marked E.T. (Eget Tryk) 15 pcs., mintage included above |
|
|
CHR-F-16b (beehive / phoenix) Year: 2005 Metal:
silver Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain,
edge numbered Weight
(est.): 14.5 grams Mintage:
200 016b.1
variety: edge marked E.T. (Eget Tryk) 15 pcs., mintage included above |
|
|
CHR-F-16c (beehive / phoenix) Year: 2005 Metal:
gold 22k Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain,
edge marked Weight
(est.): unknown Mintage: unknown |
|
|
CHR-F-17a (swan) Year: 2006 Metal:
copper Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain,
edge numbered Weight
(est.): 12 grams Mintage:
200 017a.1
variety: edge marked E.T. (Eget Tryk) 15 pcs., mintage included above |
|
|
CHR-F-17b (swan) Year: 2006 Metal:
silver Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain,
edge numbered Weight
(est.): 14.5 grams Mintage:
200 017b.1
variety: edge marked E.T. (Eget Tryk) 15 pcs., mintage included above |
|
|
CHR-F-17c (swan) Year: 2006 Metal:
gold 22k Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain,
edge marked Weight
(est.): unknown Mintage: unknown |
|
|
CHR-F-18a Year: 2007 Metal:
copper Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain,
edge numbered Weight
(est.): 12 grams Mintage:
200 Unconfirmed! 018a.1
variety: edge marked E.T. (Eget Tryk) 15 pcs., mintage included above |
|
|
CHR-F-18b Year: 2007 Metal:
silver Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain,
edge numbered Weight
(est.): 14.5 grams Mintage:
200 Unconfirmed! 018b.1
variety: edge marked E.T. (Eget Tryk) 15 pcs., mintage included above |
|
|
CHR-F-18c Year: 2007 Metal:
gold 22k Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain,
edge marked Weight
(est.): unknown Unconfirmed! |
|
|
CHR-F-19a (jester) Year: 2008 Metal:
copper Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain,
edge numbered Weight
(est.): 12 grams Mintage:
unknown 019a.1
variety: edge marked E.T. (Eget Tryk) 15 pcs., mintage included above |
|
|
CHR-F-19b (jester) Year: 2008 Metal:
silver Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain,
edge numbered Weight
(est.): 14.5 grams Mintage:
unknown 019b.1
variety: edge marked E.T. (Eget Tryk) 15 pcs., mintage included above |
|
|
CHR-F-19c (jester) Year: 2008 Metal:
gold 22k Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain,
edge marked Weight
(est.): unknown Mintage: unknown |
|
KLUMP
ISSUES
|
CHR-K-01b (hemp / flag) Year: 1991
Metal:
silver Diameter: 25
mm Edge: plain Weight
(est.): 9.5 grams Mintage:
est. 100 |
|
|
CHR-K-01a (hemp / flag) Year: 1991
Metal:
silver Diameter: 26
mm Edge: plain,
edge numbered Weight (est.): 9.5 grams Mintage:
200 |
|
|
CHR-K-01c (hemp / flag) Year: 1991
Metal:
gold Diameter: 26
mm Edge: plain Weight
(est.): unknown Mintage:
unknown (<10) |
|
LØN
ISSUES
|
(CHR-L-01a) 1997 copper Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain Weight (est.): copper 12 grams Mintage: 200 |
|
|
(CHR-L-01b) 1997 brass Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain Weight
(est.): brass 11.5 grams, Mintage: 200 |
|
|
(CHR-L-01c) 1997 silver Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain Weight
(est.): .999 silver 14 grams Mintage: 200 |
|
|
(CHR-L-02b) 1998 brass Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain Weight
(est.): brass 11.5 grams Mintage: 200 |
|
|
(CHR-L-03a) 1999 copper Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain Weight
(est.): copper 12 grams Mintage: 200 |
|
|
(CHR-L-03b) 1999 brass Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain Weight
(est.): brass 11.5 grams Mintage: 200 |
|
|
(CHR-L-99a) 1999/2000 copper Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain Weight
(est.): brass 11.5 grams Mintage:
10 PRØVE / Mule with 2000 obverse & 1999 reverse |
|
|
(CHR-L-99a) 1999/2000 brass Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain Weight
(est.): brass 11.5 grams Mintage:
10 PRØVE / Mule with 2000 obverse & 1999 reverse |
|
|
(CHR-L-99a) 1999/2000 silver Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain Weight (est.): brass 11.5 grams Mintage: 10
PRØVE / Mule with
2000 obverse & 1999 reverse |
|
|
(CHR-L-04a) 2000 copper Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain Weight
(est.): copper 12 grams Mintage: 200 |
|
|
(CHR-L-04b) 2000 brass Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain Weight
(est.): brass 11.5 grams Mintage: 200 |
|
|
(CHR-L-04c) 2000 silver Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain Weight
(est.): .999 silver 14 grams Mintage: 200 |
|
|
(CHR-L-05a) 2001 copper Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain Weight
(est.): copper 12 grams Mintage: 200 |
|
|
(CHR-L-05b) 2001 brass Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain Weight
(est.): brass 11.5 grams Mintage: 200 |
|
|
(CHR-L-05c) 2001 silver Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain Weight
(est.): .999 silver 14 grams Mintage: 200 |
|
|
(CHR-L-06a) 2002 copper Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain Weight
(est.): copper 12 grams Mintage: 200 |
|
|
(CHR-L-06b) 2002 brass Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain Weight
(est.): brass 11.5 grams Mintage: 200 |
|
|
(CHR-L-06c) 2002 silver Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain Weight
(est.):.999 silver 14 grams Mintage: 200 |
|
|
(CHR-L-07a) 2003 copper Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain Weight
(est.): copper 12 grams Mintage: 200 |
|
|
(CHR-L-07b) 2003 brass Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain Weight
(est.): brass 11.5 grams Mintage: 200 |
|
|
(CHR-L-07c) 2003 silver Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain Weight
(est.): .999 silver 14 grams Mintage: 100 |
|
|
(CHR-L-08a) 2004 copper Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain Weight
(est.): copper 12 grams Mintage: 200 |
|
|
(CHR-L-08b) 2004 brass Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain Weight
(est.): brass 11.5 grams Mintage: 200 |
|
|
(CHR-L-08c) 2004 silver Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain Weight
(est.): .999 silver 14 grams Mintage: 100 |
|
|
(CHR-L-09a) 2005 copper Diameter:
30 mm Edge:
plain Weight
(est.): copper 12 grams Mintage:
200 |
|
|
(CHR-L-09b) 2005 brass Diameter:
30 mm Edge:
plain Weight
(est.): brass 11.5 grams Mintage:
200 |
|
|
(CHR-L-09c) 2005 silver Diameter:
30 mm Edge:
plain Weight
(est.): .999 silver 14 grams Mintage:
100 |
|
|
(CHR-L-010a) 2006 copper Diameter:
30 mm Edge:
plain Weight
(est.): copper 12 grams Mintage:
200 |
|
|
(CHR-L-010b) 2006 brass Diameter:
30 mm Edge:
plain Weight
(est.): brass 11.5 grams Mintage:
200 |
|
|
(CHR-L-010c) 2006 silver Diameter:
30 mm Edge:
plain Weight
(est.): .999 silver 14 grams Mintage:
100 |
|
|
(CHR-L-011a) 2006 copper (Forny Christiania) Diameter:
30 mm Edge:
plain Weight
(est.): copper 12 grams Mintage:
200 |
|
|
(CHR-L-011b) 2006 brass (Forny Christiania) Diameter:
30 mm Edge:
plain Weight
(est.): brass 11.5 grams Mintage:
200 |
|
|
(CHR-L-011c) 2006 silver (Forny Christiania) Diameter:
30 mm Edge:
plain Weight
(est.): .999 silver 14 grams Mintage:
100 |
|
|
(CHR-L-012a) 2007 copper Diameter:
30 mm Edge:
plain Weight
(est.): copper 12 grams Mintage:
200 |
|
|
(CHR-L-012b) 2007 brass Diameter:
30 mm Edge:
plain Weight
(est.): brass 11.5 grams Mintage:
200 |
|
|
(CHR-L-012c) 2007 silver Diameter:
30 mm Edge:
plain Weight
(est.): .999 silver 14 grams Mintage:
100 |
|
|
(CHR-L-013a) 2008 copper Diameter:
30 mm Edge:
plain Weight
(est.): copper 12 grams Mintage:
200 |
|
|
(CHR-L-013b) 2008 brass Diameter:
30 mm Edge:
plain Weight
(est.): brass 11.5 grams Mintage:
200 |
|
|
(CHR-L-013c) 2008 silver Diameter:
30 mm Edge:
plain Weight
(est.): .999 silver 14 grams Mintage:
100 |
|
MEDALLIC COINS
AND MEDALS
|
CHR-M-01a.1 (6th anniversary) Year: 1977 Metal:
copper Diameter: 40
mm Edge: plain Weight
(est.): 23.5 grams Mintage:
unknown Varieties: CHR-M-01a.2 (without flags) CHR-M-01a.3 (enameled) |
|
|
CHR-M-01b.1 (6th anniversary) Year: 1977 Metal:
silver Diameter: 40
mm Edge: plain Weight
(est.): 27.0 grams Mintage:
unknown Varieties: CHR-M-01b.2 (without flags) CHR-M-01b.3 (enameled) |
|
|
CHR-M-02b (10th anniversary) Year: 1981 Metal:
copper Diameter: 35
mm Edge: plain Weight
(est.): 20 grams? Mintage: unknown |
|
|
CHR-M-02b (10th anniversary) Year: 1981 Metal:
silver Diameter: 35
mm Edge: plain Weight
(est.): 20 grams? Mintage: unknown |
|
|
CHR-M-03 (20th anniversary) Year: 1991 Metal:
silver Diameter: 30
mm Edge: plain Weight
(est.): 13.5 grams Mintage:
unknown |
|
|
CHR-M-04a (25th anniversary) Year: 1996 Metal:
brass, 8K gold plated Diameter: 35
mm Edge: plain Weight
(est.): unknown Mintage:
unknown |
|
|
CHR-M-04b (25th anniversary) Year: 1996 Metal:
silver Diameter: 35
mm Edge: plain Weight
(est.): 19.5 grams Mintage:
unknown |
|
“Nemoland” HEMP TOKENS
|
CHR-NL-05a (hemp token) Nemo / Christiania |
|
|
CHR-NL-05b (hemp token) Nemo / Nemo |
|
“Regnbuedalere” coupon notes
|
In april 1977, an exhibition /
festival Kærlighed og Kaos ("Love and Chaos") was held at Charlottenborg,
(the Royal Danish Academy of
Fine Art), to support the Freetown of
Christiania, during which the Freetown was
cleared up, repaired and renovated. A colourful set of three
“Regnbuedalere (Rainbow Dollars”) coupon notes were printed, to be used
during this festival. |
|
|
CHR-RBD-001 |
|
|
CHR-RBD-002 |
|
|
CHR-RBD-003 |
|
|
There are
also many other "exonumia" articles, which I have chosen NOT to
catalogue, as they fall beyond the scope of my
interests: 1.
Trolley coins (3 types) 2.
Broches (2 types) 3.
Hangers (2 types) 4.
CSC sport tokens (2 types) |
Scans of coins on this site
are, whenever available, from my private collection.
All images on this site are copyrighted and may
be used with written permission only
© C.D. Shiboleth, 2004, 2009
For more information on the
Free City of Christiania,
Check out Christiania’s
official site:
For more information on the coins
of the Free City of Christiania and other coins from Unrecognised States,
I highly
recommend the following site:
LINKS TO MICRO-NATIONAL AND FANTASY COINS
