Skilling (currency)

See also: Austrian schilling and Shilling (disambiguation)

The skilling (pronounced shilling in English) was the Scandinavian equivalent of the shilling.^[1] It was used as a subdivision of the various kinds of currencies named rigsdaler in use throughout Scandinavia, including the Danish rigsdaler, the Norwegian rigsdaler, and the Swedish riksdaler.

Denmark

The skilling began to be minted in Denmark in the 1440s under Christopher of Bavaria. From 1625 to 1873, one Danish skilling (pronounced [ˈske̝lˀe̝ŋ]) was equivalent to 1⁄96 of a rigsdaler. King Christian IX abolished the rigsdaler and skilling in favor of the kroner and ører in 1873.^[1][2] The word is still used colloquially for a small but unspecified amount of money ("lille skilling").

Norway

One Norwegian skilling, 1816

The skilling began to be minted in Norway in the 1510s.^[2] From 1816, the Norwegian skilling (pronounced [ˈʂɪ̂lːɪŋ]) was equivalent to 1⁄120 of a speciedaler, and before that 1⁄120 of a rigsdaler specie, or 1⁄96 of a rigsdaler courant. It was introduced in Norway in the early 16th century and was abolished 1875.

Sweden

One Swedish skilling, 1802

During the 19th century, one Swedish skilling (pronounced [ˈɧɪ̂lːɪŋ]) was equivalent to 1⁄48 of a riksdaler. It was in use between 1776 and 1855.^[3]

See also

• Money portal

• Austrian schilling
• Scandinavian Monetary Union