Iceland 10000 Icelandic Krona banknote 2001

Iceland Banknotes 10000 Icelandic Krona banknote 2001 Jónas Hallgrímsson
Iceland Kronur Banknotes 10000 Icelandic Krona bank note - European golden plover
Iceland Banknotes 10000 Icelandic Krona banknote 2001
Central Bank of Iceland - Seðlabanki Íslands

The banknote is dedicated to poet Jónas Hallgrímsson, one of the founders of the periodical Fjölnir. The note contains various references to Jónas’ work as poet, Icelandic scholar, essayist, and naturalist. Its main colour is blue, and it measures 70 x 162 mm. First put into circulation in 2013.

On the front of the banknote is a picture of Jónas Hallgrímsson, Háafjall, and Hraundrangi. The images of Háafjall and Hraundrangi are formed from Icelandic words coined by Jónas, an active and important creator of new words. The pattern below the amount on the note is created from the design on the cover of Fjölnir, as are the patterns on the security thread and the threads and designs on the front. Lines from Jónas’ poem “Ferðalok” [Journey’s End], written in his own hand, are printed on the note. The outlines of the mountain Skjaldbreiður, shown in perspective, form the basic design on both sides of the note.

On the reverse side is Jónas’ pencil drawing of Skjaldbreiður, from his stopping place at Neðri-Brunnar, and a winter photograph of the snow on the mountain. The outlines of Skjaldbreiður are superimposed on the picture in perspective. Images of plovers and scallops are there as well. The lines of the poem, written in Jónas’ hand, are from the first verse of his “Fjallið Skjaldbreiður” [Mt. Skjaldbreiður]. References to the design of the cover of Fjölnir can be found in the security threads and elsewhere on the note.

The watermark is a portrait of Jón Sigurðsson, leader of Iceland's independence movement. It is clearly visible on both sides of the note when held up to light.
Artists: Kristin Thorkelsdottir, Stephan Fairbairn.

Security features and Optiks
The security features of the new 10,000 kr. note are virtually the same as those on other Icelandic banknotes. The main difference is that in place of the security thread and metal foil is a new security feature called Optiks. Optiks is actually multi-dimensional, as it is composed of several security features. Optiks is an 18-mm wide thread with a see-through window. It contains a repeating image of a flower and the text “10000 KRÓNUR”, which can be seen when the note is held up to the light. The thread contains two fluorescent bands that are visible under ultraviolet light.

Icelandic banknotes - Iceland paper money
1981-2013 Issue

Currency Reform 1981 (1:100)
In 1981, the Icelandic króna was devalued, due to hyperinflation, with 100 old krónur (ISJ) being worth 1 new króna (ISK).

10 Kronur    50 Kronur    100 Kronur    500 Kronur    1000 Kronur    

    2000 Kronur    5000 Kronur    10000 Kronur




Jónas Hallgrímsson (16 November 1807 – 26 May 1845) was an Icelandic poet, author and naturalist. He was one of the founders of the Icelandic journal Fjölnir, which was first published in Copenhagen in 1835. The magazine was used by Jónas and his fellow Fjölnismenn to promote Icelandic nationalism, in the hope of giving impetus to the Icelandic Independence Movement. Jónas remains one of Iceland's most beloved poets, penning some of the best-known Icelandic poems about Iceland and its people.

The European golden plover (Pluvialis apricaria), also known as the Eurasian golden plover or just the golden plover within Europe, is a largish plover. This species is similar to two other golden plovers. American golden plover, Pluvialis dominica, and Pacific golden plover, Pluvialis fulva, are both smaller, slimmer and relatively longer-legged than European golden plover, and both have grey rather than white axillary feathers (only properly visible in flight).