New 10,000 kr. banknote
The Central Bank of Iceland will launch Iceland’s new 10,000 kr. banknote on Thursday 24 October 2013. The purpose of the issue is to facilitate and streamline payment intermediation in Iceland, in part by reducing the number of banknotes in circulation.
The note is dedicated to Jónas Hallgrímsson and contains various references to his work as poet, Icelandic scholar, essayist, and naturalist. On the front of the banknote is a picture of Jónas Hallgrímsson, Háafjall, and Hraundrangi. Lines from Jónas’ poem “Ferðalok” [Journey’s End], written in his own hand, are printed on the note. The outlines of the mountain Skjaldbreiður form the basic design on both sides of the note. On the reverse is Jónas’ pencil drawing of Skjaldbreiður and a winter photograph of the snow on the mountain. The outlines of Skjaldbreiður are superimposed on the picture. Also on the note are images of plovers and scallops and lines from the first verse of Jónas’ poem “Fjallið Skjaldbreiður” [Mt. Skjaldbreiður], written in his own hand. The banknote is similar in appearance to those already in circulation and will incorporate a greater number of new, more advanced security features. Its main colour is blue, and it measures 70 x 162 mm.
The banknote was designed by Kristín Þorkelsdóttir, who has directed the design of Icelandic banknotes since 1981. Her colleague and co-designer is Stephen Fairbairn.
Informational material on the new banknote can be found on the Central Bank of Iceland website: www.sedlabanki.is. In addition, an exhibition focusing on the 10,000 kr. note was opened today in the Central Bank and National Museum of Iceland’s numismatic collection, located at the Bank’s exhibition space at Kalkofnsvegur 1. The exhibition is usually open from 13:30 hrs. to 15:30 hrs. on weekdays.
Further information can be obtained from Már Guðmundsson, Governor of the Central Bank of Iceland, at tel: +354 569-9600.
No. 31/2013
25 September 2013