Norges Bank (Norway) had been releasing a coin to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Ole Bull, a special edition circulation coin on 5 February 2010. The coin is being issued to pay tribute to Ole Bull as a world-famous violinist and composer, says Trond Eklund, director of Norges Bank’s Cashier’s Department. A competition was held for the design of the coin’s reverse. The winning design was created by the sculptor Wenche Gulbransen and features Ole Bull’s portrait fused with part of a sheet of the music of “Seterjentens søndag”, one of Bull’s most famous compositions.
Photo by Wikipedia: Ole Bornemann Bull
Ole Bornemann Bull was born on 5 February 1810 in Bergen and died on 17 August 1880. A celebrated Norwegian violinist and composer of international renown, his impassioned dedication to traditional Norwegian folk music played a prominent role in the development of a distinctively Norwegian culture following the dissolution of the union with Denmark in 1814. In the course of his long career, Ole Bull travelled extensively, performing all over the world, and composed a total of more than 70 works, including Recuerdos de Habana, Et Sæterbesøg, Sætergjentens søndag, I ensomme Stunde and Polacca Guerriera. He also supported and encouraged young Norwegian classical musicians such as Edvard Grieg, Erika Nissen, Agathe Backer Grøndahl and Rikard Nordraak.
The obverse features a portrait of H.M. King Harald V facing right. Around the portrait is the inscription: HARALD V NORGES KONGE. At the lower left edge of the portrait is the artist’s signature, IAR. Below the portrait is the year 2010 with Det Norske Myntverkets (Mint of Norway’s) mintmark, the crossed pick and hammer, placed between the first two and last two digits.
The design on the reverse features Ole Bull’s portrait fused with part of a sheet of music from his composition ”Seterjentens søndag”, one of Bull’s most famous compositions, with his name (OLE BULL), the anniversary year (200 ÅR) and the coin’s denomination (10 kr) to the right. These elements form a decorative and rhythmic whole. Below the denomination is the designer’s signature, WG.Design and technical specifications:
- Diameter: 24.0 mm
- Thickness: 2.0 mm
- Weight: 6.8 g
- Alloy: 81% Cu, 10% Zn, 9% Ni
- Edge: Alternate plain/milled
The special edition coin is the same size as the standard 10-krone coin and will be legal tender. The coin issued as part of the Ole Bull 2010 project established by the Art Museums of Bergen foundation. The anniversary celebrations officially launched at a gala performance at Den Nationale Scene in Bergen on 12 February. For more information and programme details you can visit www.olebull2010.no.
Source: Norges Bank, Wikipedia
