5 kronur 1957

Common. The eBay price data provided shows consistent sales ranging from $3.50 to $50.99 over a 13-year period, with the majority of UNC and circulated examples selling between $6-$12. The median price for UNC examples is approximately $8-$10, indicating stable, modest collector demand typical of early post-war currency issues with no significant scarcity. The note was produced in substantial quantities for Iceland's monetary circulation and examples remain readily available in the secondary market. No print run restrictions, recalls, or issuing authority limitations apply.

Issued in 1957 following Iceland's establishment of the Króna as its independent currency, this note commemorates the nation's sovereignty with imagery of Ingólfur Arnarson, Iceland's first settler (874 AD), and Bessastaðir, the official residence of the President of Iceland. The legal citation referencing Law No. 63 from June 2, 1957, anchors the issue to Iceland's formal assertion of complete independence and monetary autonomy during the Cold War era, when many Nordic nations were consolidating their financial institutions.

The obverse features Ingólfur Arnarson, Iceland's legendary first settler (c. 874 AD), depicted as a seated female figure in classical or traditional dress on the left side—a stylized historical representation typical of mid-20th century numismatic art. The right side displays ornamental shield frames containing the denomination '5' and institutional text within decorative oval guilloche work incorporating a cross symbol. The reverse showcases Bessastaðir, the official residence of Iceland's President, depicted as a multi-building stone complex with a distinctive church tower on elevated coastal terrain, surrounded by rolling hills and fencing. Both sides employ diamond-shaped corner ornaments and detailed line engraving throughout. The color scheme—reddish-brown and cream on the front, gray-blue on the back—provides strong visual contrast and traditional banknote aesthetics.

Front Side: 'LANDSBANKI ÍSLANDS - SEDLABANKINN' (Central Bank of Iceland); 'FIMM KRÓNU' (Five Kronur); 'SAMKVÆMT LÖGUM NR.63, 2. JÚNÍ 1957' (According to Law No. 63, June 2, 1957); 'INGÓLFUR ARNARSON' (name of the historical figure depicted); Serial number: A1815999. Back Side: 'LANDSBANKI ÍSLANDS - SEDLABANKINN' (Central Bank of Iceland); 'BESSASTAÐIR' (name of the presidential residence depicted); Denomination marking: '5' (appears in decorative shield frames in both lower corners).

Intaglio engraving (offset lithography with security printing) produced by BWC (Bradbury Wilkinson & Company, a leading British security printer of the period). The visual analysis reveals fine line patterns, intricate cross-hatch security patterns, complex guilloche work, and detailed architectural engraving characteristic of professional security printing. The buff-colored paper stock noted in the reference materials is consistent with BWC's first printing standards from 1957, with no imprint visible on this note variant.

This note is cataloged as Pick P-37a, one of two known varieties for this base Pick number (P-37a and P-37b). Both variants were printed by BWC. The P-37a variant is distinguished by its first printing on buff paper without BWC printer imprint. The serial number visible on this example (A1815999) and the absence of visible printer attribution confirm the P-37a classification. No date variations, signature changes, or significant overprints are evident from the visual analysis.