A banknote is both a means of payment and a piece of decorative art. A well-designed banknote must therefore combine security and technical considerations with aesthetics.
The appearance and motifs of banknotes have always been a subject of interest to Danes. That's why all citizens have had the opportunity to voice their opinion on the possible themes for the motifs on Denmark’s new banknotes.
Denmark's new banknote series will consist of four banknotes: 50, 100, 200 and 500-krone banknotes. The new banknotes will be available from 2028–2029 onwards.
The road to new banknotes
The road to Denmark's new banknotes passes through four phases: Conceptualisation, design, production and issue.
In the conceptualisation phase we have gathered input from citizens, museums and educational institutions. Afterwards, an expert group with the participation of external experts and Danmarks Nationalbank have decided which motifs and themes will adorn the new banknotes.
In September 2024, Danmarks Nationalbank published a report detailing the process for selecting motifs and themes. The report also shows the results of citizen involvement in the process.
Further work – what happens now?
Now we know what themes and motifs will be adorning the new banknotes. Next step is now the design phase where a final decision will be made on the appearance of the banknotes. This is where we commit to the concept and make decisions on security features and technical specifications. The final decision on what the new banknotes will look like will be made taking into account several parameters, including requirements for security features and options in the production process. The design of the new banknote series is expected to be finalised in Q1 2026, when Danmarks Nationalbank will announce their final appearance. The new banknotes will go into circulation from 2028-2029.
The banknotes will then be produced, and then Danmarks Nationalbank will be able to put the new banknotes into circulation and the first citizens will get to experience the notes.
Learn more about the motifs and themes
Danmarks Nationalbank began working on the new banknotes by inviting a number of museums, research and educational institutions in the fields of art, culture and science to share their ideas for motifs, topics and themes.
Danmarks Nationalbank received over 150 ideas from the museums, research and educational institutions. Based on these ideas an expert group with the participation of external experts and Danmarks Nationalbank selected the themes for the motifs that would be suitable for the new banknotes.
All citizens have had the opportunity to voice their your opinion about the themes for the motifs on the new banknotes by taking part in our survey. The survey was open from 13 May 2024 until and including 2 June 2024.
We received over 75,000 responses to the survey. Thank you to all of you who have shared your opinion on the themes for the motifs on the new banknotes.
The obverse of the banknotes: Important achievements and the people behind them
The concept for the obverse of the new banknotes is important achievements and the people behind them. The achievement will be shown in a copper print, while the portrait of the person behind the achievement will be in the watermark.
Portraits offer a number of advantages in terms of security. For example, as humans, we are experts in recognising and analysing faces. That's why we can easily spot counterfeit banknotes if there are small deviations in the expression on a face or its appearance.
The four people chosen are all behind important achievements that are internationally recognised and have very special significance for Denmark and Greenland.
Their achievements range from outer space to the Earth's inner core. They take us on a journey through the wondrous world of adventure and the relentless forces of nature. The achievements span many different fields, but share a common foundation of courage, curiosity and dedication. Each has expanded our understanding of the world, and collectively they bind us together.
Until 1936, experts believed that the Earth consisted of a liquid inner core. Inge Lehmann changed that perception. With her readings of seismological measurements, she put forward her groundbreaking theory that the Earth has a solid inner core.
Inge Lehmann’s discovery was a major scientific achievement that revolutionised the understanding of the Earth’s internal structure and contributed to the development of modern geophysics. Throughout her lifelong work in science, Inge Lehmann made many discoveries that contributed to our understanding of the Earth’s deep interior.
She achieved great recognition and respect for her scientific discoveries abroad, but in Denmark she remained largely unknown. By depicting Inge Lehmann and the Earth’s inner core on the new banknotes, the focus is on a great scientific achievement and on Inge Lehmann as a role model in her field.
Today’s advanced space technology dates back to the 16th century, when Tycho Brahe revolutionised astronomy by developing accurate measuring instruments and collecting extensive data about the celestial bodies.
His work is the foundation of the knowledge we now have about astronomy. His landmark discoveries in the world of astronomy open up a wealth of powerful images that can contribute to a beautiful and detailed banknote, symbolising that the contribution of the individual can also have a significant impact on posterity.
The Fifth Thule Expedition (1921-1924) was the largest and most significant of the seven expeditions. The 18,000 kilometre expedition went from Greenland to Canada and on to Alaska to end up in Russia.
Expedition participant Arnarulunnguaq contributed extensive and crucial knowledge about survival in the extreme climates the journey travelled through. Her courage and dedication are considered crucial to the success of the expedition.
The expedition’s discoveries formed the basis of one of the world’s most extensive Arctic collections, now housed at the National Museum in Copenhagen. Arnarulunnguaq and the Thule Expedition provide a unique opportunity to tie the banknote series together across the kingdom.
Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales are famous, loved, read and re-read around the world. They resonate with readers young and old – and have done so for almost 200 years. The universal issues they address transcend borders, time and place. They also have a unique and specific meaning for many Danes that can make the banknotes relatable. They live on through generations and remain relevant today because they open our eyes to important questions about being human.
The reverse of the banknotes: The sea
The motifs on the reverse of banknotes will have the sea as a recurring theme. The theme will tie all four banknotes in the banknote series together: the 50, 100, 200 and 500-krone banknotes.
The sea is a central part of our shared identity. It binds us together and also represents our view of the world. Historically, the sea has shaped our society and culture through seafaring, trade and fishing. We also use the sea nowadays as a sanctuary that invites activity, reflection and relaxation. The sea continues to shape our future with a focus on sustainable energy and biodiversity.
Overview of invited museums, research and educational institutions
- Aarhus School of Architecture
- ARoS
- Astronomy, Aarhus University
- Biology, Aalborg University
- Comparative Literature, University of Copenhagen
- Comparative Literature, University of Southern Denmark
- DAC
- Danish Museum of Science & Technology
- Den Gamle By
- Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark
- Department of Geoscience, Aarhus University
- Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen
- Design School Kolding
- Designmuseum Danmark
- Dramaturgy and Musicology, Aarhus University
- Geophysics and Space Technology, Technical University of Denmark
- Greenland National Museum and Archives
- Louisiana
- M/S Maritime Museum of Denmark
- Moesgaard Museum
- Museum Odense
- National Gallery of Denmark
- National Institute of Aquatic Resources, DTU Aqua
- National Museum of Denmark
- Natural History Museum of Denmark (Zoological Museum, Geological Museum, Botanical Museum and Botanical Garden)
- Nature and Culture Communication, University College of Northern Denmark
- Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek
- Science Museums, Aarhus University
- Skagens Museum
- The Danish Film Institute
- The Danish National School of Performing Arts
- The Fisheries and Maritime Museum
- The Royal Academy of Music, Aarhus/Aalborg
- The Royal Danish Academy – Architecture, Design, Conservation (Architecture and Design)
- The Royal Danish Academy of Music
- The Royal Danish Collection
- Theatre and Performance Studies, University of Copenhagen
Overview of participants in the expert group
External experts
- Anne Hedensted Steffensen, Managing Director of Danish Shipping and Deputy Chairman of Danmarks Nationalbank's Board of Directors and Anniversary Foundation
- Else Marie Kofod, former Head and Chief Archivist, The Danish Folklore Archives
- Gert Posselt, Senior Editor, The Danish Language and Literature Society
- Mikkel Bogh, Professor and Head of Center for Practice-based Art Studies, University of Copenhagen
- Minik Thorleif Rosing, Professor, Geology, University of Copenhagen
- Mårten Gomer, Technical Manager for Banknotes and Coins, Sveriges Riksbank
- Ulla Tofte, Director, Museum of National History
Participants from Danmarks Nationalbank
- Guvernor of Danmarks Nationalbank Christian Kettel Thomsen (chairman)
- Niels Kaas, Chief Cashier
- Daniel Krarup Rosenstrøm, Head of Procurement and Quality
- Jeanette Skov Jensen, Head of Design
Observers
- Rasmus Junggreen Lassen, Head of Office, The Danish Ministry of Idustry, Business and Financial Affairs
- Carina Moselund Jensen, Head of Secretariat, Danmarks Nationalbank
- Jakob Mølgaard Heisel, Senior Cash and Policy Advisor, Danmarks Nationalbank