Octroy for Nationalbanken i Kjøbenhavn paa 90 aar. Louisenlund, den 4de Julii 1818 (+) Kongeligt aabent Brev, indeholdende Tillæg til den Nationalbanken under 4de Julii 1818 forundte Octroy (+) Reglement for Nationalbanken i Kjøbenhavn. Kjøbenhavn, den 27de Julii 1818.

The charter defined both institutional independence and clear objectives. Ownership was placed in private hands - primarily property owners - explicitly to prevent political misuse of the printing press and to separate the bank from both state finances and private interests.

“The charter also laid down the bank’s core mandate: to secure a stable monetary system and to promote money circulation in support of production and trade. It legally bound the bank to continue the Rigsbank’s deflationary policy - reducing the volume of banknotes, restoring their silver parity and ultimately making them redeemable in silver. Public destruction of withdrawn notes symbolized this commitment and was intended to rebuild trust.

Finally, the charter established a durable governance structure, balancing royal oversight with internal self-recruitment, and formal supervision by a royal bank commissioner. Although the practical effects—silver convertibility and dividends—were delayed until 1845, the Charter of 4 July 1818 was the legal and institutional anchor that made long-term monetary stabilization possible, demonstrating that credibility in money rests on firm rules, independence, and time.” (Abildgren, Danmarks Nationalbank 1818-2018).