Iceland collect




100 Krónur 1919 – Iceland (Pick P-14)

A provisional high-value note overprinted on earlier 5 krónur paper

The 100 krónur 1919 provisional issue is one of the most unusual and scarce items in Icelandic paper-money history. Produced in 1919 by Íslandsbanki, this denomination was created as an emergency / provisional measure by overprinting existing 5 krónur notes rather than printing an entirely new sheet. The result is a distinctive banknote that is prized by advanced collectors for its rarity and its story.

Key facts

  • Issuer: Íslandsbanki (Bank of Iceland)

  • Year: 1919 (provisional issue)

  • Catalog / Pick number: P-14 (provisional variety)

  • Format: Overprint on the paper of earlier 5 krónur notes (the face design is derived from the pre-existing 5 krónur stock)

  • Typical size: c. 165 × 105 mm (provisional format)

  • Status: Extremely rare; largely known today from a few archival / auction specimens

Why this note was made

In 1919 there was an urgent need for higher-denomination currency. Rather than wait for full new print runs, the bank used existing, cancelled or remainder 5 krónur sheets and applied an overprint to indicate the new value of 100 krónur. This provisional approach was quicker and used available paper and designs, producing a hybrid note with the obverse/back artwork of the older 5 krónur pieces and added 100-kr marking and promissory text for the new denomination.

Design & appearance

  • Obverse (front): Largely follows the older 5 krónur obverse design, including the classic engraved portrait and ornamental engraving typical of early Icelandic notes.

  • Reverse (overprint): The back shows added text and denomination markings for “100 Krónur” placed over or printed onto the earlier 5 krónur reverse field; the overprint work is evident under close inspection and is a defining feature of the provisional issue.

  • Signatures & serials: Surviving examples show contemporary serial numbers and the signatures of the bank officials responsible for issue; collectors catalogue several signature combinations among the few known specimens.

  • Paper & printing: Produced on the same banknote paper used for the earlier 5 kr notes; the overprint technique and the visible remnants of the original design make these notes visually distinctive.

Rarity & collector notes

  • The 100 krónur provisional overprints are extremely scarce — only a handful of genuine specimens are known in institutional or auction records.

  • Because these notes were provisional and not mass-produced, most examples are found as unissued remainders, cancelled overprints, or single specimens that surfaced in major collections or auctions.

  • High-quality examples are also known to have been graded at leading third-party services and have appeared in specialist auctions. Prices for genuine items reflect their rarity and historic interest.

  • Beware of reproductions and modern copies: provisional notes attract forgeries and souvenir reproductions. Always verify provenance and, if possible, request auction or grading documentation.

Historical significance

This provisional 100 krónur issue is important not only because it’s rare, but because it illustrates how Icelandic banks managed currency needs during a turbulent post-war period. The note embodies a practical, short-term solution — the reuse and overprinting of existing stock — and therefore stands as a physical document of Iceland’s early 20th-century monetary practice.

100 Krónur 1919 – Iceland (Pick P-14) 100 Krónur 1919 – Iceland (Pick P-14)