The year 2008 marks the 200-year anniversary of Henrik Wergeland’s birth. On Thursday 8 May, Norges Bank will issue a silver commemorative coin to mark the occasion.

”We hope that this coin will be a reminder of one of Norway’s most significant cultural figures,” says Trond Eklund, Director of Norges Bank’s Cashier Department. He also mentions Wergeland’s importance to the manner in which Norway celebrates its constitution day, 17 May, with a children’s parade.

The obverse of the coin features the portrait of King Harald V, which has been used on special edition circulation coins in recent years. This motif has been designed by Ingrid Austlid Rise, a designer at Det Norske Myntverket AS (Mint of Norway). The motif on the back of the coin was designed by Enzo Finger and depicts Henrik Wergeland’s glasses and signature.

In connection with the issue of the coins, Norges Bank is cooperating with Wergeland 2008, which is a collaborative project between the National Library, the National Archives and the Eidsvoll 1814 foundation. The project was commissioned by the Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs to plan and carry out the official anniversary celebrations.

On 8 May 2008, the National Library will mark the 200-year anniversary of Henrik Wergeland’s birth with a special exhibition and the publication of a book. The silver commemorative coin will be launched in connection with the opening of this exhibition.

The silver coin has a nominal value of NOK 200 and will be minted in an issue limited to 40 000 coins. The coin’s retail price, excluding handling and shipping fees, is NOK 450.

A 10-krone special edition circulation coin will be issued to mark the anniversary. This coin will be put into circulation on Henrik Wergeland’s birthday which is 17 June. The motifs on the circulation coin are the same as on the silver commemorative coin.

Pictures and a description of the silver commemorative coin are available on Norges Bank’s website. For further information, please contact Assistant Director Leif Veggum (Tel. +47 22 31 62 93) or Adviser Ragnhild L. Solberg (tel. +47 22 31 64 54).

For more information about the sale of commemorative coins, please refer to Norges Bank’s website www.norges-bank.no/myntsalg/