25 kronur 1961

Common. This note, although from 1961, was a regular issue of the Central Bank of Iceland and appears to have had a substantial circulation. The eBay price history shows numerous transactions with UNC specimens consistently trading between $8-$15, with exceptional grades (PMG 66-67) reaching $36-$47. These moderate prices and consistent market availability indicate this is a widely available note in the collector market. No evidence of a restricted print run, recall, or scarcity exists; it represents standard circulating currency from Iceland's post-war monetary system.

This note was issued under Law No. 10 dated March 29, 1961, by Sedlabanki Islands (Central Bank of Iceland) during a period of Icelandic economic development and monetary modernization in the post-war era. The selection of Magnus Stephensen as the obverse portrait reflects Iceland's appreciation for intellectual and legal heritage, while the reverse imagery of the Vestmannaeyjar (Westman Islands) and Ísafjörður harbor emphasizes the nation's fishing economy and maritime identity, which were central to Iceland's prosperity during this period. These thematic choices underscore the economic importance of Iceland's fishing industry and coastal communities during the mid-20th century.

The obverse features a left-profile portrait of Magnus Stephensen (1769-1845), an influential Icelandic jurist and scholar, rendered in formal 19th-century dress with a high collar, positioned on the left side with a stern expression. The right portion depicts Ísafjörður harbor in Skutulsfirður (Harpoon Fjord), showing a dramatic coastal landscape with steep mountains framing a fjord, sailing vessels in the water, and harbor facilities—a scene exemplifying Iceland's important fishing communities. The reverse presents the Westmannaeyjar (Westman Islands) harbor, dominated by a distinctive rocky island formation with columnar basalt outcrops characteristic of Icelandic geology, surrounded by multiple fishing boats and small vessels arranged throughout the composition. Both sides employ fine-line engraving with complex decorative borders, and a heraldic coat of arms appears in the lower left of the reverse. The color scheme of purple and mauve on multicolored underprint with gray and dark blue accents was typical of Central Bank of Iceland's mid-20th century currency design.

FRONT: 'SEDLABANKI ISLANDS' (Central Bank of Iceland); 'TUTTUGU OG FIMM KRÓNUR' (Twenty-Five Kronur); 'SAMKVÆMT LÖGUM NR. 10, 29. MARZ 1961' (According to Law No. 10, March 29, 1961); 'MAGNÚS STEPHENSEN, LÖGMAÐUR' (Magnus Stephensen, Lawyer); 'ISAFJÖRÐUR' (Ísafjörður, place name); Serial number 'CA4158262'; Denomination '25' (appears multiple times in corner numerals). BACK: 'VESTMANNAEYJAR' (Westman Islands); 'SEDLABANKI ISLANDS' (visible on heraldic seal); Denomination '25' (appears in all four corner frames).

Intaglio engraving (fine-line copperplate printing) executed by BWC (likely Bradbury, Wilkinson & Company), a renowned British security printer. The visual evidence of extremely fine line work, detailed portrait engraving with subtle gradation, complex background patterns including water and geological formations, and the precision of decorative borders throughout are characteristic of high-security intaglio production. The multicolored printing technique visible in the underprint suggests the use of multiple printing passes to achieve the layered color effects.

This specimen carries the serial number CA4158262, with the prefix 'CA' indicating a specific printing run or series. The note is from the single known variant cataloged by PMG for Pick P-43. The printer is confirmed as BWC (Bradbury, Wilkinson & Company). No overprints, error varieties, or replacement notes are observed on this specimen. Signature varieties may exist based on the two signatures visible in the center-right area of the obverse, though without specialized references on Icelandic currency signature variations, specific identification cannot be made from the visual analysis alone.