Bridges and archaeological finds (the 2009 series)
The motifs on all banknotes in the series were designed by Karin Birgitte Lund. The theme is Danish bridges and archaeological finds. The 1000-krone banknote is the only banknote in the series that will no longer be legal tender after 31 May 2025.
1.000-krone banknote
Issued: 2011
Format: 165 x 72 mm
Motifs: The Great Belt Bridge | The Sun Chariot from Trundholm Bog.
Portraits and church art (the 1997 series)
The banknotes were designed by Danmarks Nationalbank’s illustrator Johan Alkjær. The obverse features portraits of Danish artists and scientists, while the reverse is adorned with cultural motifs and church art. The banknotes in this series will no longer be legal tender after 31 May 2025.
1.000-krone banknote
Issued: 1997/2003
Format: 165 x 72 mm
Motifs: The artists Anna and Michael Ancher | Tournament scene from Bislev Church.
Please notice: Issued in two versions.
500-krone banknote
Issued: 1997/2003
Format: 155 x 72 mm
Motifs: The nuclear scientist Niels Bohr | Knight in armour and dragon from the font in Lihme Church.
Please notice: Issued in two versions.
200-krone banknote
Issued: 1997/2003
Format: 145 x 72 mm
Motifs: The actress Johanne Luise Heiberg | Lion from the apse at Viborg Cathedral.
Please notice: Issued in two versions.
100-krone banknote
Issued: 1999/2002
Format: 135 x 72 mm
Motifs: The composer Carl Nielsen | Basilisk from Tømmerby Church in Vester.
Please notice: Issued in two versions.
50-krone banknote
Issued: 1999/2005
Format: 125 x 72 mm
Motifs: The writer Karen Blixen | Centaur from Landet Church on the island of Tåsinge.
Please notice: Issued in two versions.
Portraits and animals (the 1972 series)
The obverse of the banknotes features portraits that were engraved on the basis of paintings by the Danish artist Jens Juel. The animals on the reverse were based on watercolours and drawings by the illustrator and architect Ib Andersen and Danmarks Nationalbank’s illustrator Gunnar Andersen. The banknotes in this series will no longer be legal tender after 31 May 2025.
1.000-krone banknote
Issued: 1975
Format: 176 x 94 mm
Motifs: Thomasine Heiberg | Squirrel.
500-krone banknote
Issued: 1974
Format: 164 x 85 mm
Motifs: Unknown woman, probably Franziska Genoveva von Qualen | Lizard.
100-krone banknote
Issued: 1974/1995
Format: 150 x 78 mm
Motifs: Self-portrait of Jens Juel | ‘Red underwing’ moth.
Please notice: Issued in two versions.
50-krone banknote
Issued: 1975
Format: 139 x 72 mm
Motifs: Engelke Charlotte Ryberg | Crucian carp
20-krone banknote
Issued: 1980
Format: 125 x 72 mm
Motifs: Pauline Tutein | Sparrows.
10-krone banknote
Issued: 1975
Format: 125 x 67 mm
Motifs: Cathrine Sophie Kirchhoff | Queen eider.
Portraits and landscapes (the 1952 series)
The designs on the banknotes resulted from a collaboration between the architect and graphic artist Gunnar Biilmann Petersen, Danmarks Nationalbank’s illustrator Gunnar Andersen and the illustrator and architect Ib Andersen. The banknotes depict portraits of famous Danes on the obverse and landscapes on the reverse. The banknotes in this series will no longer be legal tender after 31 May 2025.
500-krone banknote
Issued: 1964
Format: 175 x 90 mm
Motifs: The agricultural reformer Christian Ditlev Frederik Reventlow and a farmer with a horse and plough | Roskilde Cathedral.
100-krone banknote
Issued: 1962
Format: 155 x 78 mm
Motifs: The scientist H.C. Ørsted and a compass with an electrical wire | Kronborg.
50-krone banknote
Issued: 1957
Format: 153 x 78 mm
Motifs: Ole Rømer and the Round Tower in Copenhagen | Stenvad long barrow on Djursland.
10-krone banknote
Issued: 1952/1954
Format: 125 x 65 mm | 125 x 71 mm
Motifs: Hans Christian Andersen and a stork’s nest from Asminderød | Egeskov Windmill.
Please notice: The original version from 1952 cannot be deposited into bank accounts. It has not been legal tender since 1954.
5-krone banknote
Issued: 1952
Format: 125 x 65 mm
Motifs: The sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen and his marble sculpture The Three Graces | Church of Our Lady, Kalundborg.
The substitution series (the 1944 series)
The series was secretly developed in 1943 and 1944. It was used for the money changeover in 1945 immediately after the end of World War II. The faces of most of the banknotes were designed by the painter and illustrator Gerhard Heilmann. The banknotes in this series will no longer be legal tender after 31 May 2025.
500-krone banknote
Issued: 1945
Format: 174 x 108 mm
Motifs: Farmer behind horse-drawn plough | Rosettes with the small coat of arms in the middle.
100-krone banknote
Issued: 1945
Format: 156 x 100 mm
Motifs: Seaweed decoration surrounded by dolphins | Rosettes with the small coat of arms in the middle.
Please notice: Issued in two versions. Light green and dark green.
50-krone banknote
Issued: 1945
Format: 156 x 100 mm
Motifs: Boat with fishermen | Rosettes with the small coat of arms in the middle.
Please notice: Issued in two versions. Light purple and dark purple.
10-krone banknote
Issued: 1945-1947
Format: 131 x 80 mm | 130 x 80 mm
Motifs (upgraded version): Seaweed decoration | Rosettes with the small coat of arms in the middle.
Please notice: Neither the original version from 1944 nor the upgraded version from 1947 can be deposited into bank accounts. They have not been legal tender since 1954.
5-krone banknote
Issued: 1945
Format: 130 x 72 mm
Motifs: Interwoven figures of five | Rosettes with the small coat of arms in the middle.
Please notice: This banknote cannot be deposited into bank accounts. It has not been legal tender since 1954.
Not sure whether the banknote is genuine?
Have you found or received an older banknote and are you not sure whether it is genuine? We have prepared an overview of the security features (pdf), so that you know what to look for on the individual banknotes and series.
Greenland and the Faroe Islands
In Greenland, the same series of banknotes are used as in Denmark. When older Danish banknotes and the current 1000-krone banknote become invalid after 31 May 2025, these banknotes will thus also become invalid in Greenland.
The Faroe Islands have their own banknotes, which have the same value and format as the Danish banknotes. Like Denmark, older Faroese series of banknotes are also legal tender on the Faroe Islands. However, Faroese banknotes are not legal tender in Denmark, but they can be exchanged for Danish banknotes free of charge.
The recall of Danish banknotes does not invalidate the Faroese series of banknotes.