5 kroner 1913

Uncommon. While not extremely rare, the 1913 Greenland 5 Kroner is not commonly encountered, particularly in high grades. Historical catalog values from 2016 show VF examples at $900 and UNC at $2,000, indicating moderate scarcity in premium condition. The PMG population data shows multiple variants (P-14, P-14A, P-14r) across the base Pick number, suggesting modest total survival numbers. Notes from Greenland's early colonial period have limited circulation and survival due to the territory's isolated economy and the passage of over 110 years.

This note was issued during Denmark's colonial administration of Greenland in 1913, when the territory's economy relied heavily on trading posts and Arctic commerce. The prominent polar bear symbolizes Greenland's Arctic identity and wildlife heritage, while the issuer's name—'Styrelsen af Kolonierne i Grønland' (The Administration of the Colonies in Greenland)—reflects the formal colonial governance structure of the period. The designation as valid specifically 'at the trading posts in Greenland' underscores the isolated, trade-based economy of the colonies.

The obverse displays a central oval medallion containing an engraved illustration of a polar bear positioned on ice—the dominant and thematic element of the design. The note employs a cream or light beige field with decorative corner ornaments featuring the numeral '5' repeated in all four corners (upper left, upper right, lower left, lower right). Multiple parallel lines form an elegant border frame around the design. Handwritten signatures in cursive script (identified in external references as Daugaard Jensen and Munch) appear in the lower portion, with a characteristic straight dash above the 'u' in 'Munch.' The reverse features a simplified design with a large central numeral '5' and 'KRONER' text below, set against a subtle repeating geometric pattern in pale yellow and cream tones. The issuer's name repeats on the reverse.

FRONT SIDE: 'Denne ANVISNING gælder ved Handelsstederne i Grønland for' (This note is valid at the trading posts in Greenland for) / '5 KRONER' (Five Kroner) / 'STYRELSEN AF KOLONIERNE I GRØNLAND' (The Administration of the Colonies in Greenland) / 'ANDRÆSEN & LACHMANN LIT.' (Andræsen & Lachmann Lithography) / Serial number '43133'. BACK SIDE: '5 KRONER' (Five Kroner) / 'STYRELSEN AF KOLONIERNE I GRØNLAND' (The Administration of the Colonies in Greenland).

Lithography, as indicated by the 'LIT.' notation after 'ANDRÆSEN & LACHMANN' on the note itself. The printer was Andreasen & Lachmann, a Copenhagen-based lithographic firm. The technique is evident from the fine parallel line work, the smooth gradations in the background tones, and the detailed rendering of the polar bear in the central medallion.

This is cataloged as Pick 14A, with the printer identified as 'A&L' (Andreasen & Lachmann). The PMG population report indicates this is the lithography variant. The handwritten signatures—Daugaard Jensen and Munch—with the distinctive straight dash over the 'u' in 'Munch' are characteristic of this issue. The serial number observed is 43133. Pick 14 has at least three known variants (P-14, P-14A, P-14r), indicating signature or printer differences across the issue.