The years 1940-45 

During World War II there was a shortage of coins in many places in Norway due to the disruption of lines of communication. Municipalities, institutions, banks and businesses had to develop substitute currency of various kinds.

The Norwegian bronze coin and the copper-nickel coin contained metal important to the armament industry. The occupying power ordered that substitute metal be used in Norwegian coin production. The five-øre, two-øre and one-øre were minted in iron while the 50-øre, 25-øre and 10-øre were made in zinc. The royal crown and Haakon VII's monogram were removed from the design.

The Norwegian government in London arranged to have the 50-øre, 25-øre and 10-øre coins minted in England. These coins, made in nickel-brass, carried the usual pre-war design with King Haakon's monogram and motto. They were intended for use in the event of an allied landing in Norway. After the war, coins were once again minted in copper and copper-nickel.
 

To the left: Five coins from the German occupation, minted in iron.