The Faroe Islands have their own banknote series with denominations of kr. 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000. The motifs are Faroese animals and landscapes. On the back, the banknotes feature watercolours of Faroese landscapes. The watercolours are by Faroese artist Zacharias Heinesen.
Danmarks Nationalbank produces Faroese banknotes in the Faroese language and with Faroese motifs according to the law governing banknotes in the Faroe Islands (from 1949). The currency in the Faroe Islands is króna, and the exchange rate to Danish banknotes is 1:1.
Faroese banknotes are not a valid means of payment in Denmark. Private individuals can exchange Faroese banknotes for Danish banknotes at banks in the same way as other foreign currencies.
The coins in the Faroe Islands are the same as in Denmark. Greenland, which is also part of the Danish Realm, does not have its own series of banknotes, but uses Danish banknotes.
Faroese animals and landscapes are featured on the banknotes
The main motifs on the banknotes are Faroese animals. The images of the animals on the front of the banknotes are cropped. On the back, the banknotes feature watercolours of Faroese landscapes. The watercolours are by Faroese artist Zacharias Heinesen. The fauna motifs are cropped for a dynamic feel, while the watercolours add a certain lightness.
Old banknotes
Old Faroese banknotes are still legal tender, but are withdrawn on an ongoing basis.
Faroese 50-krone banknote
The ram’s horn featured on the front of the 50-krone banknote is printed in intaglio. The background is a watercolour of a stone wall.
The back of the banknote features coastal cliffs near the village of Sumba on western Suðuroy, where sheep and rams are kept in great numbers. This creates a natural connection between the ram on the front of the banknote and the landscape on the back.
Format: 12.5 × 7.2 cm.
Issued 3 July 2001.
Faroese 100-krone banknote
On the front of the 100-krone banknote, the motif is a fragment of a cod’s tail printed in intaglio. The background is a watercolour with elements from the sea.
Referencing the cod on the front of the banknote, the back features a watercolour of Klaksvík, one of the Faroe Islands’ most important fishing ports.
Format: 13.5 × 7.2 cm.
Issued 16 January 2003.
Faroese 200-krone banknote
On the 200-krone banknote, the motif is a fragment of a moth printed in intaglio. The background is a watercolour of grass stems.
The back of the banknote shows a watercolour of the island of Tindhólmur with its characteristic peaks.
Format: 14.5 × 7.2 cm.
Issued 19 January 2004.
Faroese 500-krone banknote
The front of the 500-krone banknote shows a section of a shore crab printed in intaglio. The background is a watercolour of a sandy seabed seen through water.
The motif on the back is a watercolour showing the village of Hvannasund, where shore crabs are common.
Format: 15.5 × 7.2 cm.
Issued 30 November 2004.
Faroese 1000-krone banknote
The front of the 1000-krone banknote shows a fragment of a purple sandpiper printed in intaglio. The background is a watercolour of a flock of birds.
At the back is a watercolor showing the island of Sandoy. Referencing the front, birds are part of the motif.
Format: 16.5 × 7.2 cm.
Issued 15 September 2005.
Window thread and mother-of-pearl ribbon protect against counterfeiting
The Faroese banknotes have a large number of security features, which were last updated in 2012. So far, there has been no counterfeiting of the Faroese banknote series.