1000 kronur 1961
About This Note
This 1000 króna note from Iceland's 1961 issue represents a significant example of mid-20th century Icelandic currency design. The uncirculated specimen displays exceptional clarity in both the portrait of national hero Jón Sigurðsson and the dramatic Þingvellir landscape, with sharp engraving throughout and no visible wear. The grayish-purple front and blue-tinted back demonstrate the sophisticated multi-color printing techniques employed by the Central Bank of Iceland during this period.
Common. The 1000 króna denomination from the 1961 issue represents a standard, widely-circulated banknote during Iceland's mid-20th century currency period. No evidence of limited print runs, recalls, or short-lived issuance exists for this Pick number. High-grade uncirculated examples are moderately available in the secondary market at modest collector prices, consistent with common banknote classification.
Issued under Law No. 10 on March 29, 1961, this note commemorates a pivotal moment in Icelandic independence and cultural identity. The front features Jón Sigurðsson, the 19th-century nationalist leader and founder of the modern Icelandic independence movement, while the reverse depicts Þingvellir, the historic site where Iceland's first parliament (Alþingi) was established in 930 AD and where modern Iceland's independence was declared in 1944. Together, these elements connect Iceland's medieval democratic heritage with its modern national identity.
The front features a formal portrait of Jón Sigurðsson (1811-1879), the Icelandic nationalist statesman, positioned on the right side in classical pose wearing formal 19th-century attire with white collar and bow tie. The central vignette depicts the Alðingishúsið (Parliament House), a classically-designed institutional building with mansard roof and symmetrical architecture, symbolizing Iceland's democratic governance. Ornamental diamond-patterned borders and elaborate guilloche work frame the design. The reverse presents a dramatic landscape of Þingvellir's distinctive columnar basalt formations rising from a river gorge with water features and distant mountains, representing Iceland's natural grandeur and historical significance as the site of the ancient Alþingi. A heraldic coat of arms seal appears on the lower left of the reverse.
FRONT: 'SEÐLABANKI ÍSLANDS' (Central Bank of Iceland) / 'EITT ÞÚSUND KRÓNUR' (One Thousand Króna) / 'SAMKVÆMT LÖGUM NR. 10. 29 MARS 1961' (According to Law No. 10, 29 March 1961) / 'JÓN SIGURÐSSON' (Jón Sigurðsson) / 'ALÐINGISHÚSIÐ' (Parliament House) / Serial number: EA8273849. BACK: '1000' (denomination) / 'ÍSLANDS' (Iceland) / 'ÞINGVELLIR' (Thingvellir). All inscriptions are in Icelandic.
Intaglio engraving (line engraving), the standard security printing method for banknotes of this era. The visual analysis confirms fine line engraving patterns, detailed guilloche work, and intricate portrait rendering characteristic of high-security intaglio printing. The multi-color printing (grayish-purple front, blue-tinted back) suggests separate printing runs or advanced color separation techniques typical of 1960s Central Bank currency production.
The observed serial number 'EA8273849' indicates this note is from the standard production run of the 1961 issue. No overprints, signatures, or other distinguishing variety markers are evident in the visual analysis. Varieties for this Pick number (P-46) are not prominently documented, suggesting this represents the standard variety of the 1961 1000 króna note issued by Sedlabanki Íslands.
