1 krone 1913
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This 1913 Greenland 1 krone note (Pick-13b) is a well-circulated example in Fair condition, displaying the iconic reindeer vignette on the obverse and heraldic arms on the reverse that characterize this early colonial issue. The note shows authentic age and handling wear including creases and fading, with clear signatures of D. Jensen and Munch visible, making it a genuine artifact of Greenland's early 20th-century monetary history. Despite its worn appearance, this note remains collectible as a representative of the rare Styrelsen af Kolonierne i Grønland issues, with documented eBay market value supporting its numismatic interest.
uncommon
The Styrelsen af Kolonierne i Grønland (Board of the Colonies in Greenland) issued this banknote during Denmark's colonial administration of Greenland, when the territory operated under a tightly controlled trading monopoly system. The reindeer depicted on the obverse represents the Arctic fauna and subsistence economy of Greenland, while the heraldic symbols on the reverse—including what appears to be a polar bear and Danish lions—reinforce the Danish-Greenlandic administrative structure of the colonial period. These notes were explicitly marked as valid 'ved Handelsstørerne i Grønland' (at the trading stations in Greenland), reflecting the monopoly trading posts through which the colonial economy functioned.
The obverse features a naturalistic central vignette of a reindeer in profile, positioned in an Arctic/tundra landscape setting, symbolizing Greenland's fauna and colonial economy. The design is framed by an ornate geometric border with decorative corner elements incorporating the denomination numeral '1'. The reverse presents a starburst or radiating sunburst design centered on a large denomination numeral '1', flanked by two heraldic coat of arms—one depicting a polar bear (Greenlandic symbol) on the left and another showing Danish royal lions beneath crowns on the right. The color scheme throughout employs blue and cream tones characteristic of early 20th-century Nordic banknote design. Two handwritten signatures appear on the obverse, indicating dual authorization by colonial administrators.
FRONT: 'Denne ANVISNING gælder ved Handelsstørerne i Grønland for' = 'This assignment is valid at the trading stations in Greenland for'; '1' and 'KRONE' (repeated left and right) = '1 Krone'; 'STYRELSENS AF KOLONIERNE I GRØNLAND' = 'Board of the Colonies in Greenland'; Serial number '710833'; Handwritten signatures 'Beigsgaardsven' and 'Albertsen' (authorization marks/officer signatures). BACK: '1' and 'KRONE' = '1 Krone'; 'STYRELSENS AF KOLONIERNE I GRØNLAND' = 'Board of the Colonies in Greenland'.
This note was produced by Andreasen & Lachmann, a Danish printer known for late 19th and early 20th-century Scandinavian banknote production. The printing exhibits characteristics of intaglio (engraved) printing, evident in the fine detail of the reindeer vignette, the geometric borders, and the heraldic artwork. The use of multiple color passes (blue and cream/beige) and the precision of the denomination numerals and inscriptions are consistent with period intaglio techniques. The radiating sunburst pattern on the reverse demonstrates the sophisticated engraving capabilities of this printer.
This note is cataloged as Pick-13b, identified by the signatures of D. Jensen and Munch visible on the obverse. The PMG population report confirms at least four variants of the base Pick number P-13, differentiated by signatory combinations (P-13b, P-13d, P-13r noted). The serial number 710833 is specific to this individual note. The signature combination D. Jensen - Munch represents the P-13b variety, distinguishing it from other signed variants of this 1913 issue. The handwritten signatures 'Beigsgaardsven' and 'Albertsen' may represent additional authorization marks or overprints specific to certain distribution points within the Greenlandic trading system.
