100 kronur 1961

Common. The 1961 100 Kronur note was a standard denomination in regular circulation for nearly a decade and was printed in substantial quantities by Sedlabanki Íslands. While uncirculated examples command modest premiums over circulated specimens, this Pick number remains readily available in the numismatic market, with no known print run restrictions, recall actions, or short-period issuance that would elevate scarcity. UNC condition examples typically trade in the affordable range, confirming standard production levels.

Issued on 29 March 1961 under Icelandic law, this note was part of Sedlabanki Íslands' currency series during the post-war economic stabilization period. The imagery deliberately celebrates Icelandic cultural identity and heritage: Tryggvi Gunnarsson represents Icelandic historical significance, while the reverse's depiction of traditional sheep herding and the iconic Hekla volcano underscore the nation's pastoral economy and natural landscape during this formative period of Iceland's mid-twentieth-century development.

The obverse features a three-quarter profile portrait of Tryggvi Gunnarsson, a bearded Icelandic historical figure, rendered in formal period dress on the left side, balanced by a detailed architectural-landscape vignette on the right depicting Hólar Church with its distinctive tall steeple, flanked by rural pitched-roof houses set against a mountainous backdrop. Decorative wheat stalk or botanical border motifs frame both sides. The reverse presents an expansive pastoral narrative: multiple mounted and dismounted shepherds actively managing a substantial flock of sheep across an open Icelandic valley, with the snow-capped mass of Mount Hekla dominating the composition's background. An Icelandic coat of arms seal appears in the lower left corner. All elements employ fine-line engraving with sophisticated guilloche ornamentation.

FRONT: 'SEÐLABANKI ÍSLANDS' (Central Bank of Iceland); 'EITT HUNDRAÐ KRÓNUR' (One Hundred Kronur); 'SAMKVÆMT LOGUM NR.10.29.MARS 1961' (According to Law No. 10, 29 March 1961); 'TRYGGVI GUNNARSSON' (portrait subject name); 'HÓLÁR Í HJALTADAL' (Hólar in Hjaltadal); Serial number 'DA2420339' (appears top and bottom). BACK: '100' (denomination); 'HEKLA' (mountain name); 'ÍSLANDS' (of Iceland).

Intaglio (engraved) printing, characteristic of high-security banknote production of this era. The fine line work, detailed portraiture, and ornamental guilloche patterns visible throughout indicate professional security printing, likely executed by a Scandinavian or European security printer specializing in central bank currency. The precision of the engraving and absence of halftone dot patterns confirm the exclusive use of intaglio methodology.

The observed specimen displays serial number DA2420339, indicating the 'DA' prefix series common to 1961 100 Kronur emissions. Pick 44(12) refers to the 12th variety documented for this denomination, likely differentiated by signature, imprint, or serial number prefix variations across the 1961 issuance. No overprints, watermark variations, or anomalies are evident in the visual analysis. Standard variety classification for routine 1961 production.