5 kroner 1953
Market Prices
6 salesAbout This Note
This 1953 5 Kroner note from the Kongelige Grønlandske Handel (Royal Greenland Trade) displays the iconic polar bear design on the obverse, rendered in cream tones against a dark background within ornate circular medallions. The AU condition grade is well-deserved, with crisp printing, clear inscriptions, and no visible wear, tears, or creases—a particularly appealing example of this early Greenlandic trade note that commanded prices of $100-$250 in recent market activity.
Common. The eBay price data shows consistent market activity with notes in circulated grades (F-VF) trading in the $50-$100 range and uncirculated examples at $100-$250, indicating a readily-available note with stable but modest collector demand. While early Greenlandic currency is historically interesting, the print run was substantial enough that AU examples like this remain accessible to collectors without commanding premium prices associated with scarce or rare issues.
This note was issued during a pivotal period when Greenland's trade and commerce were still managed through the Danish-controlled Kongelige Grønlandske Handel, the monopoly trading company that governed Arctic mercantile activities. The polar bear and heraldic arms reflected Greenland's Arctic identity and Danish sovereignty, while the note's validity specifically at trading posts underscores the unique commercial infrastructure that existed in mid-20th century Greenland before modernization of the financial system.
The obverse features a standing polar bear in profile facing right, rendered in white and cream tones within a circular medallic frame, symbolizing Greenland's Arctic fauna and environment. The reverse displays a crowned heraldic composition with multiple coat of arms shields—including a polar bear emblem (upper left) and multi-lion Danish royal heraldic crests (upper right and lower right)—surrounding a central profile portrait within a circular medallion against a radiant sunburst background pattern. The denomination '5' appears in decorative circles at top corners (obverse) and in all four corners (reverse). The ornate scrollwork borders frame both sides, consistent with early-to-mid 20th century Scandinavian currency design practices.
FRONT SIDE: 'FEM KRONER' (Five Kroner); 'KRONER' (Kroner, appearing in top corners); 'Denne Anvisning gælder ved Handelsstderne i Grønland for' (This Note is Valid at Trading Posts in Greenland for); 'DEN KONGELIGE GRØNLANDSKE HANDEL' (The Royal Greenland Trade); Signatures of 'Jens Lochmann' and 'Bryd Horn'. BACK SIDE: '5 KRONER' (5 Kroner, appearing in all four corners); 'DEN KONGELIGE' (The Royal); 'GRØNLANDSKE HANDEL' (Greenland Trade). Serial number observed: 0476981.
Intaglio (engraved) printing, evidenced by the crisp, finely-detailed line work visible in the ornate borders, medallic frames, heraldic elements, and the sharp definition of the polar bear and portrait imagery. The multi-color printing (black/cream obverse, green reverse) suggests separate plate runs typical of intaglio currency production. This note was likely produced by a Scandinavian security printer, consistent with Danish currency practices of the 1950s.
This note is identified as Pick P-18a, which measures 84x125mm. The PMG population report indicates four catalogued variants for this base Pick number: P-18a (84x125mm), P-18as (84x125mm, specimen), P-18b (84x130mm), and P-18s (specimen). This specific example represents the standard P-18a variety. The serial number 0476981 observed on this note does not indicate any special prefix variety but reflects routine serial numbering from the production run.
