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Tuesday 30 June 2020

1406) 10,000 Icelandic Krona Banknote, Iceland (Sedlabanki Islands): A Banknote dedicated to Jonas Hallgrimsson, a poet, Icelandic scholar, essayist & Naturalist, issued by the Central Bank of Iceland or "Sedlabanki Islands": Year of Banknote issue: 2013:

1406) 10,000 Icelandic Krona Banknote, Iceland (Sedlabanki Islands): A Banknote dedicated to Jonas Hallgrimsson, a poet, Icelandic scholar, essayist & Naturalist, issued by the Central Bank of Iceland or "Sedlabanki Islands": Year of Banknote issue: 2013:

 My comprehensive post on the Banknotes of Iceland is placed at the following link. This post enlarges upon the denomination of 10000 Icelandic Krona (or Kronur) Banknote highlighting its intricate details and its elaborate security features:

 The Currency and Coinage of Iceland (issued by the Central Bank of Iceland or "Sedlabanki Islands): Kroner & Eyrir


This 10,000 Icelandic Krona Banknote is dedicated to the poet Jonas Hallgrimsson - one of the founders of the periodical "Fjolnir" which was first published in Copenhagen in 1835. The magazine was used by Jonas and his fellow Fjolnismenn to promote Icelandic nationalism, in the hope of giving impetus to the Icelandic  Independence Movement. .

The Banknote contains various references to Jonas' work as a poet, Icelandic scholar, essayist and naturalist.
 On the Front of the 10,000 Krona Banknote is a picture of Jonas Hallgrimsson, "Haafjall" and "Hraundrangi".

The images of "Haffjall" and "Hraundrandi" are formed from Icelandic words coined by Jonas - an active and important creator of new words.

The pattern below the amount on the Banknote is created from the design on the cover of "Fjolnir", as are the patterns on the security thread and the threads and designs on the Front.

Lines from Jonas' poem "Feroalok" (meaning "Journey's End") written in his own hand, are printed on the Banknote.

The outlines of the mountain "Skjaldbreiour", shown in perspective, form the basic design on both sides of the Banknote.

 Jonas remains one of the most beloved/popular poets of Iceland penning some of the best-known Icelandic poems about Iceland and its people.
On the Back of the 10,000 Krona Banknote is seen Jonas' pencil drawing of "Skjaldbreiour" from his stopping place at Neori-Brunnar, and a winter photograph of the snow on the mountain. The outlines of "Skjaldbreiour" are super-imposed on the picture in perspective.

  Images of plovers and scallops are there as well. The European Golden Plover ("Pluvialis apricaria"), also known as the Eurasian Golden Plover or just the Golden Plover within Europe is a largish Plover. The species is similar to two other golden plovers - American Golden Plover ("Pluvialis dominica") and the Pacific Golden Plover ("Pluvialis fulva"), which are both smaller, slimmer and relatively longer-legged than the European Golden Plover and both  have grey, rather than white, auxiliary feathers (only properly visible in flight).

 The lines of the poem, written in Jonas' hand, are from the first verse of his "Fjallio Skjaldbreiour" (meaning "Mount Skjaldbreiour").

References to the design of the cover of "Fjolnir" are seen in the security threads and elsewhere on the Banknote.

 This Banknote was first put into circulation in 2013. Its Size is 70.0 mm x 162.0 mm and its colour is predominantly blue.

Security Features:

The Security Features on the 10,000 Krona Banknote are virtually the same as those on other Icelandic Banknotes. 

The main difference is that in place of the security thread and metal foil is a Security feature called "Optiks", which is an 18.0 mm wide thread with a see-through window. It contains a repeating image of a flower and the text "10000 KRONUR", which can be seen when the Banknote is held up against a light. The thread contains two fluorescent bands that are visible under ultra-violet light.

Detailed description of Security features:

  Water-mark: 
The Water-mark is a portrait of Jon Sigurosson - leader of Iceland's independence movement. It is clearly visible on both sides of the Banknote, when help up to light.

 Optiks Security Thread and Window:
The Banknote has an 18.0 mm wide Security Thread that provides a distinctive see-through window. The thread contains the repeating image of a flower and the text "10000 KRONUR" that becomes visible when the Banknote is held up to light.

 Optiks Security Thread & Fluorescent Bands:
The Banknote has a wide Security Thread. The Thread contains  two fluorescent bands that are visible under UV light.

 Optiks Security Thread on the Back:
The Banknote 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 Kronur" that becomes visible when holding the Banknote up to a light source.

 Intaglio printing:
On both sides of the Banknote there is dark blue intaglio printing which can be detected by touch. 

 The intaglio on the Front of the Banknote is the portrait, the poem, the 10,000 numeral in the bottom left and top right and the shell in the bottom right corner.

 Red Serial number on the Front:
The unique serial number of the Banknote is printed in red on the Front.

 Serial number on the Front:
The unique Serial number on the Banknote is printed in red on the Front, but appears yellow under UV light.

 Microtext:
Microtext beneath the portrait of Jonas Hallgrimsson appears as an unbroken line to the naked eye, but when magnified, forms a continuous line containing the words "SEDLABANKI ISLANDS".

 Micro-engraved Lettering tint (MELT):
The number 10000 is printed horizontally with blue shadowing at the top left of the Front and is repeated on the Back.

 When magnified, the shadowing of the numbers forms a continuous pattern of the abbreviation "SI".

 Electrotype watermark:
Beside the portrait of Jon Sigurosson is a new electrotype watermark - the numerals 10000.

Extra small print:
Throughout the centre of the Front, is extra small print in continuous vertical lines in the mountains "Haafjall" and "Hraundrangi", formed by a variety of Icelandic words that can be attributed to Jonas Hallgrimsson.

 Blink:
A fluorescent green  print enclosing the number 10000 is visible centrally on the Banknote, when it is exposed to UV light.

 Cornerstone:
A reinforced cornerstone watermark enhances the Banknote's durability and security.

 Type of Paper:
The paper is made of raw cotton with a different feel from that of the normal paper.

 Blind Recognition Feature:
Four horizontal lines are intaglio-printed on the Front to assist the visually challenged persons in recognising the Banknote.
(The above Banknote is from the cllection of Jayant Biswas)



Some other interesting Posts from Finland & Nordic Countries:







Links to other Posts on Aland issues:

2) Wildflowers, Aland Islands: A new Series of Franking Labels issued by Posten Aland (Aland Post): Date of issue: 03.02.2020
3) SEPAC 2020, Artwork, Aland Islands: A tribute to Aland Artist Henrik Nylund (1945-1982) by Posten Aland (Aland Post) in the 2020 Series of SEPAC stamps featuring artwork in National Collections and issued by Small European Administrations: Date of Stamp issue: 05.03.2020

4) Medical and Industrial Tubing, Aland Islands : A Postage stamp issued by Posten Aland (Aland Post) having the value marked as Inrikes: Date of Stamp issue: 05.06.2020


For other interesting posts on issues from the Royal Dutch Mint, Netherlands and PostNL, please visit the following links:

Posts from Belgium & Luxembourg:


5) City of Bruges (or Brugge), Belgium: 20 Years as UNENCO World Heritage Site: A 20 Euro Silver Proof Coin issued by the Royakl Dutch Mint under licencing of the Royal Belgian Mint, on behalf of the National Bank of Belgium: Coin issue date: 26.02.2020

6) 100 Years of Nature & Environment Protection, Luxembourg: Commemorating the Centenary Anniversary of the "Letzebuerger Natur a Vulleschutsliga a.s.b.l. (Luxembourg Nature and Bird Protection Society):A 0.80 Euro Stamp issued by Luxembourg Postes (Post): Date of stamp issue: 10.03.2020

7) Celebrating 25 Years of listing on UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Luxembourg: A Commemorative Stamp of 0.80 Euro issued by Luxembourg Postes (Post): Stamp issue date: 10.03.2020

8) "Ancient Postal Routes - The Postal Route from Christiania to Bergen", Norway: A Europa Stamp of 20g issued by Posten Norge (or Norwegian Post)depicting the difficult mountain route/stretch at Vindhellvegen & Kongevegen: Date od Stamp issue: 17.04.2020


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