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[[Norway|'''''Norway''''']] | |||
A genealogist working with Norwegian records frequently comes upon references to currency in probate records, tax assessments, and censuses. Official documents were sometimes issued for a fee. Norway, like other countries, has gone through several monetary systems in its history. Most of us are familiar with the present decimal system, that of a krone divided into 100 øre, but that is only on of a series of monetary systems with which our ancestors were familiar. | A genealogist working with Norwegian records frequently comes upon references to currency in probate records, tax assessments, and censuses. Official documents were sometimes issued for a fee. Norway, like other countries, has gone through several monetary systems in its history. Most of us are familiar with the present decimal system, that of a krone divided into 100 øre, but that is only on of a series of monetary systems with which our ancestors were familiar. | ||
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In the system of weighing coins for their precious metal content, foreign coins were often used, even until the middle of the nineteenth century. In the fourteen and fifteenth centries, for example, coins struck by merchants of Lübeck, Germany, were in common use. | In the system of weighing coins for their precious metal content, foreign coins were often used, even until the middle of the nineteenth century. In the fourteen and fifteenth centries, for example, coins struck by merchants of Lübeck, Germany, were in common use. | ||
During Christian II's | During Christian II's reign the skilling was introduced based on the Lübeck model with 16 skilling to 1 mark and 1 skilling equal to 3 hvidd equal to 6 blaffert (a blaffert was a 2 penning piece) equal to 12 penning. | ||
The monetary reform, introduced by Christian III (1503-1559), brought a modern system of coinage to Norway and Denmark. From 1537 the unit of currency was the riksdaler species equal to 3 mark, each of which was equal to 16 (official Danish) skilling, or 1 riksdaler equals 3 mark equals 48 skilling. At the same time the riksdaler was equal to 2 lodd in silver. | The monetary reform, introduced by Christian III (1503-1559), brought a modern system of coinage to Norway and Denmark. From 1537 the unit of currency was the riksdaler species equal to 3 mark, each of which was equal to 16 (official Danish) skilling, or 1 riksdaler equals 3 mark equals 48 skilling. At the same time the riksdaler was equal to 2 lodd in silver. | ||
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One way of measuring the value of money is by figuring how many working days it would require to earn a "tønne" (barrel or cask; about four bushels) of barley. In 1830 twelve days, in 1876, ten days, and in 1900 seven days; in 1968 two days. | One way of measuring the value of money is by figuring how many working days it would require to earn a "tønne" (barrel or cask; about four bushels) of barley. In 1830 twelve days, in 1876, ten days, and in 1900 seven days; in 1968 two days. | ||
A day's wage for manual labor in 1876 was 80 øre, in 1968 6000 øre, about 75 times as much: while a loaf of rye bread in 1876 cost 18 øre and in 1968 140, less than 8 times as much. | A day's wage for manual labor in 1876 was 80 øre, in 1968 6000 øre, about 75 times as much: while a loaf of rye bread in 1876 cost 18 øre and in 1968 140, less than 8 times as much. | ||
Any genealogical records can be greatly enriched by adding information about an ancestor's economic status gleaned from the local court records, but an understanding of the current monetary system and what buying power the money had is essential. | Any genealogical records can be greatly enriched by adding information about an ancestor's economic status gleaned from the local court records, but an understanding of the current monetary system and what buying power the money had is essential. | ||
[[Category:Norway]] | [[Category:Norway]] | ||