An accompanying royal letter of privilege granted the citizens of Copenhagen the same rights to own fixed property as applied to the Danish nobility.

The central feature of the full arms are three towers rising above water, a symbol also appearing in the town's seal from 1296.

The water element refers to the city's original name Havn meaning "Harbour" (Latin: Hafnia).

[2] The version granted by Frederick III modified the previous symbol by adding a knight carrying a raised sword in front of the gateway.

The greater coat of arms features three helmets, banners and a wide assortment of military equipment.