Valid banknotes in circulation
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10,000 kr.
First put into circulation in 2013. Size: 70 x 162 mm. Predominant colour: blue. The note contains various references to Jónas Hallgrímsson's work as poet,scholar, essayist, and naturalist.
Obverse: a picture of Jónas Hallgrímsson, Háafjall, and Hraundrangi. Reverse: Jónas’ pencil drawing of Skjaldbreiður,
Blind recognition feature: four horizontal lines intaglio-printed on the obverse.5,000 kr.
First put into circulation in 1986. In November 2003 the Central Bank put an upgraded design of the 5,000 kr. note into circulation. Size: 70 x 155 mm. Predominant colour: blue on multicoloured underprint.
Obverse: Ragnheiður Jónsdóttir (1646-1715), third wife of Gísli Þorláksson, Bishop of Hólar; and the bishop and his two earlier wives, Gróa Þorleifsdóttir and Ingibjörg Benediktsdóttir. Reverse: Ragnheiður Jónsdóttir instructing two girls in embroidery, with initials from her pattern book at the side. The borders and main pattern on both sides, and the embroidered lettering on the obverse, are copied from the Laufáskirkja altar cloth at the National Museum of Iceland.
Blind recognition feature: three vertical lines intaglio-printed on the obverse.2,000 kr.
First put into circulation in 1995. Size: 70 x 150 mm. Predominant colour: brown and yellow (obverse) and blue-violet and yellow (reverse) on multicoloured underprint.
Obverse: Artist Jóhannes S. Kjarval (1885-1972); in the background is a stylised detail from his painting Outside and Inside. Reverse: Kjarval's painting Yearning for Flight and his drawing Woman and Flowers.
Blind recognition feature: open intaglio-printed triangle on the obverse.1,000 kr.
First put into circulation in 1984. In November 2004, the Central Bank of Iceland put an upgraded design of the 1000 kr. note into circulation. Size: 70 x 150 mm. Predominant colour: purple on multicoloured underprint.
Obverse: Brynjólfur Sveinsson (1605-1675), Bishop of Skálholt, with borders and background featuring pictures from a bedspread at the National Museum; the written denomination is in a typeface matching the inscription on the baptismal font at Brynjólfskirkja [Brynjólfur's church], Skálholt. Reverse: Brynjólfskirkja church (1650-1802) at Skálholt, with a cross-section of it in the background. The main pattern is the same as on the borders on the obverse. At the side is an image of the Madonna from a gold ring owned by Bishop Brynjólfur Sveinsson.
Blind recognition feature: two vertical lines intaglio-printed on the obverse.500 kr.
First put into circulation in 1981. In October 2005, the Central Bank of Iceland put an upgraded design of the 500 kr. note into circulation.
Size: 70 x 145 mm. Predominant colour: red on multicoloured underprint.
Obverse: Jón Sigurdsson, (1811-1879), leader of Iceland's movement for independence. The border is modelled on the 500 kr. Landsbanki Íslands banknote of 1944 and the main pattern from a tapestry owned by Jón Sigurdsson. Reverse: Jón Sigurdsson at his writing desk, with tapestry and other articles from the National Museum's collection of his belongings; on the right side is Reykjavík Grammar School, where parliament met in Jón Sigurdsson's day.
Blind recognition feature: a single vertical intaglio-printed line on the obverse.
Security features in banknotes
Security features have been used in banknotes for hundreds of years. The hand-written signature was one of the first security features and many others have since been added, such as specially processed paper, watermarks, security threads and intaglio printing. In recent years central banks have issued new notes with a wider, even more sophisticated range of security features. Others have upgraded their earlier notes with the same aim. The following table shows the security features of Icelandic banknotes that are in circulation today.
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10,000 kr. security
Watermark
The watermark is a portrait of Jón Sigurðsson, leader of Iceland's independence movement. It is clearly visible on both sides of the note when held up to light.
Optiks security thread and window
The note has an 18mm wide security thread that provides a distinctive see through window. The thread contains the repeating image of a flower and the text 10000 KRÓNUR that become visible when holding the note up to light.
Optiks security thread and fluorescent bands
The note has a wide security thread. The thread contains two fluorescent bands that are visible under ultraviolet light.
Optiks security thread on the reverse
The note has a wide security thread that provides a distinctive see through window. The thread contains the repeating image of a flower and the text 10000 KRÓNUR that become visible when holding the note up to the light.
Intaglio printing
On both sides of the note there is dark blue intaglio printing which can be detected by touch. The intaglio on the front of the note is the portrait, the poem and the 10000 numeral in the top left corner. The intaglio on the reverse is the birds, the poem, the 10000 numeral in the bottom left and top right and the shell in the bottom right corner.
Red serial number on the obverse
The unique serial number of the note is printed in red on the obverse, but appears yellow under ultraviolet light.
Microtext
Microtext beneath the portrait of Jónas Hallgrímsson appears as an unbroken line to the naked eye, but when magnified, forms a continuous line containing the words SEÐLABANKI ÍSLANDS.
Micro-engraved Lettering tint (melt)
The number 10000 is printed horizontally with blue shadowing at the top left of the obverse and is repeated on the reverse. When magnified, the shadowing of the numbers forms a continuous pattern of the abbreviation SÍ.
Electrotype watermark
Beside the portrait of Jón Sigurðsson is a new electrotype watermark - the numerals 10000.
Extra small print
Throughout the centre of the obverse, is extra small print in continuous vertical lines in the mountains Háafjall and Hraundrangi, formed by a variety of Icelandic words that can be attributed to Jónas Hallgrímsson.
Blink
A fluorescent green print enclosing the number 10000 is visible centrally on the note when it is exposed to ultraviolet light.
Cornerstone
A reinforced cornerstone watermark enhances the note’s durability and security.
Type of paper
The paper is made of raw cotton with a different feel from that of normal paper.
Blind recognition feature
Four horizontal lines are intaglio-printed on the obverse to assist the visually handicapped in recognising the note.
5,000 kr. security
Watermark
The watermark is a portrait of Jón Sigurðsson, leader of Iceland?s independence movement. It is clearly visible on both sides of the note when held up to the light.Security thread
The note has a multicoloured metallic thread embedded in the paper, 1.2 mm wide and windowed on the obverse. When held up to the light it appears as a continuous line. The cleartext inscription reads 5000 KR.Intaglio printing
On both sides of the note there is dark blue intaglio printing which can be detected by touch.Microtext
Microtext beneath the portrait of Ragnheiður Jónsdóttir appears as an unbroken line to the naked eye, but when magnified, forms a continuous line with the words SEÐLABANKI ÍSLANDS.
Red serial number on the obverse
The unique serial number of the note is printed in red on the obverse, but appears yellow under ultraviolet light.Micro-engraved lettering tint (melt)
The number 5000 is printed horizontally with blue shadowing at the top left of the obverse and is repeated on the reverse. When magnified, the shadowing of the numbers forms a continuous pattern of the abbreviation SÍ.Gold foil
An enlargement of the pattern from the underprint is reproduced on gold foil towards the top of the middle of the obverse. This foil cannot be photocopied. The name Ragnheiður Jónsdóttir and the date 1646-1715 are printed over the foil.Electrotype watermark
Beside the portrait of Jón Sigurðsson is a electrotype watermark - the numerals 5000.Extra small print
On the right half of the obverse, by the upper and lower margins, is extra small print forming a continuous line with the words SEÐLABANKI ÍSLANDS.Blink
A fluorescent green print enclosing the number 5000 is visible in the upper right-hand corner when the note is exposed to ultraviolet light.Type of paper
The paper is made of raw cotton with a different feel from that of normal paper.Blind recognition feature
Three vertical lines are intaglio-printed on the obverse to assist the visually handicapped in recognising this note.2,000 kr. security
Watermark
The watermark is a portrait of Jón Sigurðsson, leader of Iceland?s independence movement. It is clearly visible on both sides of the note when held up to the light.Security thread
The note has a polyester thread in the paper.Intaglio printing
On both sides of the note is intaglio printing which can be detected by touch.Serial number on the left
The unique serial number on the left of the obverse appears yellow under ultraviolet light.Signatures
Signatures appear yellow under ultraviolet light.Microtext
Micro-lettering at the bottom right margin on the reverse appears as an unbroken line to the naked eye, but when magnified forms a continuous line with the words SEÐLABANKI ÍSLANDS.Unique serial number on the right
The unique serial number on the right of the obverse appears yellow under ultraviolet light.Micro-engraved lettering tint (melt)
When magnified, the shadowing in the number 2000 on the obverse and reverse forms a continuous pattern of the abbreviation SÍ.Type of paper
The paper is made of raw cotton with a different feel from that of normal paper.Blind recognition feature
A triangle is intaglio-printed on the obverse to assist the visually handicapped in recognising this note.1,000 kr. security
Watermark
The watermark is a portrait of Jón Sigurðsson, leader of Iceland's independence movement. It is clearly visible on both sides of the note when held up to the light.Security thread
The note has a multicoloured metallic thread embedded in the paper, 1.2 mm wide and windowed on the obverse. When held up to the light it appears as a continuous line. The cleartext inscription reads 1000KR.Intaglio printing
On both sides of the note there is intaglio printing which can be detected by touch.Microtext
Microtext beneath the picture of the church on the reverse appears as an unbroken line to the naked eye, but when magnified, forms a continuous line with the words SEÐLABANKI ÍSLANDS. There is also microtext beneath the portrait of Bishop Brynjólfur Sveinsson on the obverse, forming a continuous line with the words SEÐLABANKI ÍSLANDS.Red serial number on the obverse
The unique serial number of the note is printed in red on the obverse, but appears yellow under ultraviolet light.Micro-engraved lettering tint (melt)
The number 1000 is printed horizontally with violet shadowing at the top left of the obverse and is repeated on the reverse. When magnified, the shadowing of the numbers forms a continuous pattern of the abbreviation SÍ.Silver foil
A diamond pattern linked to the underprint is reproduced on silver foil towards the top of the middle of the obverse.Extra small print
On the right half of the obverse, by the upper and lower margins, is extra small print forming a continuous line with the words SEÐLABANKI ÍSLANDS.Blink
A fluorescent green print enclosing the number 1000 is visible towards the bottom of the middle when the note is exposed to ultraviolet light.Type of paper
The paper is made of raw cotton with a different feel from that of normal paper.Cornerstone
A reinforced cornerstone watermark enhances the note?s durability and security.Blind recognition feature
Two vertical lines are intaglio-printed on the obverse to assist the visually handicapped in recognising this note.
500 kr. security
Watermark
The watermark is a portrait of Jón Sigurðsson, leader of Iceland’s independence movement. It is clearly visible on both sides of the note when held up to the light.
Security thread
The note has a multicoloured metallic thread embedded in the paper, 1.2 mm wide and windowed on the obverse. When held up to the light it appears as a continuous line. The cleartext inscription reads 500KR.Intaglio printing
On both sides of the note there is intaglio printing which can be detected by touch.Microtext
Microtext on the lectern on the obverse, when magnified, forms a continuous line with the words SEÐLABANKI ÍSLANDS.
Red serial number on the obverse
The unique serial number of the note is printed in red on the obverse, but appears yellow under ultraviolet light.Micro-engraved lettering tint (melt)
The number 500 is printed horizontally with red shadowing at the top left of the obverse and at the top right on the reverse. When magnified, the shadowing of the numbers forms a continuous pattern of the abbreviation SÍ.Extra small print
On the right half of the obverse, by the upper and lower margins, is extra small print forming a continuous line with the words SEÐLABANKI ÍSLANDS.
Blink
A fluorescent green print enclosing the number 500 is visible towards the top of the middle when the note is exposed to ultraviolet light.
Type of paper
The paper is made of raw cotton with a different feel from that of normal paper.Cornerstone
A reinforced cornerstone watermark enhances the note’s durability and security.
Blind recognition feature
One vertical line is intaglio-printed on the obverse to assist the visually handicapped in recognising this note.
| SECURITY FEATURES | |||||
| |
500 |
1000 |
2000 |
5000 |
10000 |
| Watermark with portrait |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
| Security thread |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
| Intaglio printing (front and back) |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
| Fluorescent serial numbers (on right obverse) |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
| Microtext |
|
|
* |
|
|
| Fluorescent serial-numbers and signatures (on left obverse) |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
| Micro-engraved lettering tint (melt) |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
| Metal foil |
|
* |
|
* |
* |
| Windowed cleartext thread |
* |
* |
|
* |
|
| Electrotype watermark |
|
|
|
* |
* |
| Extra small print, undefined |
* |
* |
|
* |
* |
| Blink |
* |
* |
|
* |
* |
| Cornerstone watermark |
* |
* |
|
|
* |
| Blind recognition feature |
| |
|| |
D |
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Optik's security thread in ten thousand kr. banknote:
Optik's security thread in ten thousand kr. banknote consists of a couple of security features. It is a bold 18mm wide demetallised thread with customised images. In transmission the images in the metallic thread are clearly visible. Fluorescent bands on the threat are seen in ultraviolet light. The thread has a see-through aperture (a window).