Republicans call for elk to dethrone cash king

In an open letter to the Riksbank, the anti-monarchy group said the currency ought to feature “people and things that represent modern-day Sweden” rather than kings and queens who “have no place in a democracy”.

“As an example, I would personally like to see Astrid Lindgren or Alfred Nobel on our notes and coins,” said association chairman Peter Althin in a statement.

The well-known defence lawyer then made reference to the monetary suitability of the ever-regal elk, or moose as the animal is known in North America.

“The king of the forest would also look better on our money than Gustav Vasa or Carl Gustaf Bernadotte,” he said.

The board of the Riksbank meets on Wednesday to discuss an overhaul of Sweden’s coins and notes.

With Crown Princess Victoria’s marriage to luxury gym owner Daniel Westling fast approaching, the republicans have ramped up their efforts to dislodge the monarchy. But the group remains very much in the minority, with 74 percent of Swedes expressing their continued support for the monarchy in a 2009 poll.