Icelandic króna

The króna or krona (sometimes called Icelandic crown; sign: kr; code: ISK)[lower-alpha 1] is the currency of Iceland. Iceland is the second smallest country by population, after the Seychelles, to have its own currency and monetary policy.[1]

Icelandic krona
In Icelandic: króna; plural krónur
500 krona (1928) of the first Icelandic krona (no longer in circulation)
ISO 4217
Code	ISK
Number	352
Exponent	0
Denominations
Symbol	kr
Banknotes	500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000 krona
Coins	1, 5, 10, 50, 100 krona
Demographics
User(s)	Iceland
Issuance
Central bank	Central Bank of Iceland
Printer	De La Rue

Name

Like the Nordic currencies (such as the Danish krone, Swedish krona and Norwegian krone) that participated in the historical Scandinavian Monetary Union, the name króna (meaning crown) comes from the Latin word corona ("crown").

The name "Icelandic crown" is sometimes used alternatively, for example in the financial markets.

First krona, 1874–1981

The Danish krone was introduced to Iceland in 1874, replacing the earlier Danish currency, the rigsdaler. In 1885, Iceland began issuing its own banknotes.

The Icelandic krona separated from the Danish krone after the dissolution of the Scandinavian Monetary Union at the start of World War I and Icelandic sovereignty from Denmark in 1918. The first coins were issued in 1922.

Iceland was forced to devalue the Icelandic krona in 1922, by 23% against the Danish krone, which saw the beginning of an independent monetary policy in Iceland, and was to be the first of many subsequent devaluations of the krona.[2]

In 1925 the krona was pegged to the British pound for the next 14 years until the spring of 1939.[2][3] Later in 1939 the currency was pegged to the US Dollar, which was maintained until 1949.[2]

Coins

Iceland's first coins were 10- and 25-aurar pieces introduced in 1922. These were followed in 1925 by 1 krona and 2 krona pieces and in 1926 by 1-, 2- and 5-aurar pieces. In 1946, the coins' designs were altered to remove the royal monogram (CXR), following Icelandic independence from Denmark in 1944.

Starting in 1967, new coins were introduced due to a considerable fall in the value of the krona. 10 krona coins were introduced in that year, followed by 50 aurar and 5 krona pieces in 1969 and 50 krona pieces in 1970.

Banknotes

The first notes issued in 1885 by the Landssjóður Íslands were in denominations of 5, 10 and 50 krona. In 1904, the Bank of Iceland (Íslands Banki) took over note production and introduced 100 krona notes. In 1921, the Ríkissjóður Íslands began issuing paper money, with notes for 1, 5, 10 and 50 krona.

In 1928, another bank, the Landsbanki Íslands, took over issuance of denominations of 5 krona and above, with the Ríkissjóður Íslands continuing to issue 1 krona notes until 1947. The Landsbanki Íslands introduced 500 krona notes in 1935, followed by 25- and 1000-krona notes in 1957.

In 1961, the Seðlabanki Íslands became the central bank of Iceland and started issuing paper money, in denominations of 10, 25, 100, and 500 krona. They were manufactured in England by De la Rue.

Second krona, 1981–present

In 1981, the Icelandic krona was revalued, due to high inflation, with 100 old krona (ISJ) being worth 1 new krona (ISK) and a new 500 krona banknote was first put into circulation in 1981. The 1000 krona was put into circulation in 1984 and the 5000 krona in 1986. The 2000 krona banknote was put into circulation in 1995 but never became very popular. The 10,000 krona banknote was put into circulation in 2013.

Coins of less than one krona have not circulated for many years. In September 2002, Davíð Oddsson, the Icelandic Prime Minister at the time, signed two regulations decreeing that all monetary amounts on invoices and financial claims should be stated and paid in whole krona only and that coins with a value of less than one krona should be withdrawn from circulation.

Coins

In 1981, coins were introduced in denominations of 5, 10 and 50 aurar (cents), 1 krona and 5 krona. These were followed by 10 krona pieces in 1984, 50 krona in 1987 and 100 krona in 1995. Since 2003, Icelandic banks no longer accept any coins denominated in aurar (cents).[4]

Currently circulating coins[5]
Image		Value	Technical parameters				Description			Issued since
Obverse	Reverse		Diameter	Thickness	Mass	Composition	Edge	Obverse	Reverse
		1 kr.	21.5 mm		4.5 g (until 1989) 4.0 g (from 1989)	Cupronickel 75% Cu, 25% Ni (until 1989) Nickel-plated steel (from 1989)	Milled	Mountain giant	Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)	1981
		5 kr.	24.5 mm		6.5 g (until 1996) 5.6 g (from 1996)	Cupronickel 75% Cu, 25% Ni (until 1996) Nickel-plated steel (from 1996)		Land wights	Two short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis)
		10 kr.	27.5 mm	1.78 mm	8.0 g (until 1996) 6.9 g (from 1996)				Four capelin (Mallotus villosus)	1984
		50 kr.	23 mm	2.6 mm	8.25 g	Nickel brass 70% Cu, 24.5% Zn, 5.5% Ni	Milled	Land wights	Shore crab (Carcinus maenas)	1987
		100 kr.	25.5 mm	2.25 mm	8.5 g		Alternately plain and milled		Lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus)	1995
For table standards, see the coin specification table.

Former circulating coins[6]
Image		Value	Technical parameters				Description			Issued since	Date of lapse
Obverse	Reverse		Diameter	Thickness	Mass	Composition	Edge	Obverse	Reverse
		5 a	15 mm		1.5 g	Bronze 97% Cu, 2.5% Zn, 0.5% Sn	Plain	Bird	Common skate (Raja batis)	1981	1 October 2004[4]
		10 a	17 mm		2.0 g			Bull	Squid (Cephalopoda)
		50 a	19.5 mm		3 g (1981) 2.65 g (1986)	Bronze 97% Cu, 2.5% Zn, 0.5% Sn (1981) Copper-plated steel (1986)		Dragon	Shrimp (Pandalus borealis)
For table standards, see the coin specification table.

Banknotes

Icelandic banknotes are printed with the dates from which the legal basis of the currency derives. In 1981, notes were issued in denominations of 10, 50, 100 and 500 krona based on the law of 29 March 1961. 1000 krona notes were introduced in 1984, followed by 5000 krona notes in 1986 with the same law.

100, 500, and 1000 krona notes were reissued in 1994 under the law of 5 May 1986. In the following year, a new denomination of 2000 krona was issued for the first time. The 2000 krona note is subtly different from the other notes. For example, the underprint pattern extends all the way upward and downward, while the other denominations had white margins on every side. The number 2000 is printed in multi color for 3 of the 4 occurrences. And the numeral 2000 on the lower left corner of reverse is vertical. The "shadow" of the numeral is printed with SÍ in microprint.

The 22 May 2001 series, saw substantial changes. The underprint and microprint features of the 2000 krona note were extended to other denominations. The 1000- and 5000-krona notes also received metallic foils next to the portrait.

In 2013, a new 10000 krona banknote was introduced. The face of natural scientist and poet Jónas Hallgrímsson appears on the bill, as well as the Eurasian golden plover.[7] Notes of 100 krona or less are no longer in circulation, as they have been withdrawn by the central bank.

Law of 29 March 1961 Series[8]
Value	Dimensions	Main Colour	Description			Date of issue
			Front side	Back side	Watermark
10 krona	130 × 70 mm	Blue	Arngrímur Jónsson the Learned	Old Icelandic household scene based on Auguste Mayer's drawing	Jón Sigurðsson	1981
50 krona	135 × 70 mm	Brown	Guðbrandur Þorláksson	Printers at work in the 16th century
100 krona	140 × 70 mm	Green	Árni Magnússon	Monastic scribe
500 krona	145 × 70 mm	Red	Jón Sigurðsson	Jón at his writing desk
1000 krona	150 × 70 mm	Purple	Brynjólfur Sveinsson	Brynjólfskirkja church (1650–1802) at Skálholt		1984
5000 krona	155 × 70 mm	Blue-green multicolour	Ragnheiður Jónsdóttir	Ragnheiður instructing two girls in embroidery		1986
Law of 5 May 1986 Series
100 krona	As previous					1994
500 krona
1000 krona
2000 krona	150 × 70 mm	Multicolour	Jóhannes Kjarval	Kjarval's painting Yearning for Flight and his drawing Woman and Flowers	Jón Sigurðsson	1995
Law of 22 May 2001 Series
500 krona	As previous, but the underprint design extends upward and downward to fill the margin					October 2005
1000 krona						November 2004
5000 krona						November 2003
10000 krona	162 × 70 mm	Blue	Jónas Hallgrímsson; outlines of mountains Háafjall and Hraundrangi formed from Icelandic words coined by Jónas; floral pattern from cover of periodical “Fjölnir;” Jónas’ handwritten poem “Ferðalok” (Journey's End); topographical outline of mountain Skjaldbreiður	A plover and Hallgrímsson's poem Skjaldbreiður Mountain; topographical outline of mountain Skjaldbreiður; Jónas’ handwritten poem “Fjallið Skjaldbreiður;” scallop shell	Jón Sigurðsson	October 24, 2013

Issues affecting the Icelandic krona

Iceland is not a member of the European Union and does not use the euro. The Icelandic currency is a low-volume world currency, strongly managed by its central bank. Its value in terms of other currencies has historically been swift to change, for example against the US and Canadian dollars, and the other Nordic currencies (Swedish krona, Norwegian krone, Danish krone), and the euro. For example, during the first half of 2006, the Icelandic krona ranged between 50 and 80 per US dollar. Prior to the currency's collapse in October 2008, the krona was considered overvalued.

In most shops electronic payment is accepted. Other currencies are very rarely accepted in Iceland. A notable exception is Keflavík International Airport (which has many transfer passengers), where the US dollar, euro and some other currencies are accepted by all merchants. Certain stores in central Reykjavík accept some foreign currencies.

Iceland's per capita computer usage is among the highest in the world, far higher than the UK or US.[9] The saturation of technology in Iceland has had ramifications in the monetary system: a very high proportion of payments in Iceland are made electronically, e.g. by debit or credit cards or online bank transfers. The largest denomination banknote, the 10000 krona note (around €83 in July 2017), has a relatively low value; therefore, most of Iceland's high value trades are done in electronic transfers and in other currencies.

2008 financial crisis

Exchange rate ISK per euro from 2000 to mid-2010

In October 2008, the financial crisis of 2007–2008 brought about a collapse of the Icelandic banking sector. The value of the Icelandic krona dropped, and on 7 October 2008 the Icelandic Central Bank attempted to peg it at 131 against the euro.[10] This peg was abandoned the next day.[11] The krona later dropped again and to 340 against the euro before trade in the currency was suspended[12] (by comparison, the rate at the start of 2008 was about 90 krona to the euro[13]). After a period of tentative, very low-volume international trading in the krona, activity had been expected to pick up again throughout November 2008, albeit still with low liquidity, as Iceland secured an International Monetary Fund loan.[14] However, as of January 2009 the krona was still not being traded regularly, with the European Central Bank (ECB) reference rate being set only intermittently, the last time on 3 December 2008 at 290 krona per euro.[15]

The Icelandic krona similarly fell in value against the US dollar, from around 50 to 80 per dollar to about 110–115 per dollar; by mid-November 2008 it had continued to lower to 135 to the dollar. As of 2 April 2009, the value hovered around 119 per dollar, roughly maintaining that value over the next two years with 23 March 2011, prices around 114 per dollar.[16] With this, the previously high costs for foreign traders and tourists dropped, which Iceland's trade and tourism industry undertook to exploit.[17] In July 2008, a Big Mac cost the equivalent of nearly US$6, versus $3.57 in the US.[18]

Iceland and the euro

Theoretically the adoption of the euro could have several advantages. Adopting what is perceived by some as a historically stronger currency might help Iceland to "avoid the turbulence surrounding speculations in international financial markets".[19] In addition, Icelandic economists listed several arguments in favour of the Euro before the crisis. "In terms of growth potentials and welfare, the euro could be expected to bring lower long-term interest rates [...]. This would of course increase capital investment and labour productivity. The euro might lower consumer prices by facilitating a comparison with other euro countries."[19] Because of the volatility between the euro and the krona, former Foreign Minister Valgerður Sverrisdóttir considered the idea that Iceland might dollarize itself into the Eurozone without joining the European Union.

Opinion regarding the euro is mixed among Icelanders. An opinion poll about Iceland joining the European Union released on 11 September 2007 showed that 53% of respondents were in favour of adopting the euro, 37% opposed and 10% undecided.[20] Another poll produced for the Icelandic newspaper Fréttablaðið and released on 30 September 2007 showed 56% opposed to euro adoption and 44% in favour.[21] In January 2008, a poll by the Icelandic Chamber of Commerce put support for Iceland to abandon the krona for another currency at 63%. A number of companies in Iceland, such as Össur, have started to pay their employees in euros or US dollars, mainly due to the high inflation and high volatility.[22]

The financial crisis prompted further calls for Iceland to join the Eurozone. In January 2009, one senior Icelandic official stated that due to the crisis "the krona is dead. We need a new currency. The only serious option is the euro."[23] In March 2009, a report by Iceland's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Össur Skarphédinsson, considered three options: retaining the krona, adopting the euro without joining the EU and adopting the euro through EU membership. The report recommended the third option.[24]

An economic study of the impact of the adoption of the euro by Iceland found that the Icelandic krona acts both as a barrier and buffer to international trade, and that by joining the EU and adopting the euro, Icelandic international trade might be 60% higher.[25]

In July 2009, the Alþingi (parliament) narrowly voted to apply for EU membership, but that application has been frozen since 2013 (see accession of Iceland to the European Union).

In March 2015, Icelandic authorities announced by letter to the Presidency of the Council of the European Union that Iceland should not be seen as candidate state, and that there were no specific plans to continue any membership process.[26] Leaders of the ruling government parties have also stated that the krona will remain as Iceland's currency for at least the foreseeable future.

Iceland and unilateral adoption of another currency

Some small countries such as El Salvador, Ecuador and Montenegro have unilaterally adopted the use of a more stable foreign currency as a means of controlling inflation. The cost of this is generally very high, as the adopting country loses all control over monetary policy, and all the benefits of seignorage. A currency board is a second tier solution, where the exchange rate of the currency is fixed to that of another country, or a "basket" of currencies.

There was a discussion in 2012 about the feasibility of adopting a foreign currency. The idea of adopting the Canadian dollar was popular and the Canadian ambassador to Iceland stated that Iceland could adopt the currency if it so wished.[27] Canada was favoured due to its northern geography and similar resource based economy, in addition to its relative economic stability.[28]

Arnór Sighvatsson, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Iceland, at a meeting of the Icelandic Federation of Labour on 10 January 2012, said:

I am of the view that unilateral adoption of a foreign currency or a currency board could only be considered prudent if all of Iceland's largest banks were owned by a strong foreign bank with the financial strength to provide them with liquidity during times of distress. Second, unilateral adoption of another currency is a solution that is hardly worth considering unless EMU Economic and Monetary Union of the European Union membership has been ruled out for the foreseeable future, as it entails extra cost of purchase of new base money for the banking system (generally in the range of 70–100 billion krona in recent years) and larger precautionary foreign exchange reserves (particularly if the banks are not foreign-owned). It would be pointless to pay that price for a few years' benefit, plus the seigniorage that would revert permanently to the ECB European Central Bank. Currencies other than the euro have also been mentioned. But considering the characteristics required of such a currency, there is no other that comes close to being as beneficial for Iceland as the euro is.[29]

As of 2018, Icelandic authorities had no plans to adopt a foreign currency.[30]

Exchange rate

• As of 23 December 2020, 1 USD was worth 127.91 Icelandic krona.

Current ISK exchange rates
From Google Finance:	AUD CAD CHF EUR GBP HKD JPY USD INR CNY TWD
From Yahoo! Finance:	AUD CAD CHF EUR GBP HKD JPY USD INR CNY TWD
From XE.com:	AUD CAD CHF EUR GBP HKD JPY USD INR CNY TWD
From OANDA:	AUD CAD CHF EUR GBP HKD JPY USD INR CNY TWD
From fxtop.com:	AUD CAD CHF EUR GBP HKD JPY USD INR CNY TWD

See also

• Economy of Iceland
• Scandinavian Monetary Union
• Auroracoin

References and sources

References

1. In English the plural is usually "krona", some authors use "kronur". In Icelandic the plural is "krónur".

1. Magnús Halldórsson (23 January 2018). "Krónuáhættan hefur magnast upp". Kjarninn (in Icelandic). Retrieved 22 February 2019.
2. Torhallsson, Baldur; Joensen, Tómas (2015). "Iceland's External Affairs from the Napoleonic Era to the occupation of Denmark: Danish and British Shelter". Veftímaritið Stjórnmál og Stjórnsýsla. 11 (2): 187. doi:10.13177/irpa.a.2015.11.2.4.
3. "Optimal Exchange Rate Policy: The Case of Iceland" (PDF). ISSN 1028-9445. Retrieved 25 November 2016. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
4. "Withdrawal of coin denominated in aurar". cb.is. Central Bank of Iceland. 15 August 2003. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
5. "Valid coins in circulation". Central Bank of Iceland. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
6. "Opinber gjaldmiðill á Íslandi: Útgáfa og auðkenni íslenskra seðla og myntar" (PDF) (in Icelandic). Central Bank of Iceland. p. 65. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
7. Örlygur Hnefill Örlygsson. "The Golden Plover on new 10000 ISK banknote" Archived 2016-07-29 at the Wayback Machine. goIceland. 26 September 2013.
8. "Valid notes in Iceland" Archived 2006-06-24 at the Wayback Machine. Central Bank of Iceland.
9. "Internet users". International Telecommunication Union. Archived from the original (XLS) on 10 November 2011. Retrieved 14 November 2011.
10. Mason, Rowena. "Financial crisis: Iceland nationalises bank and seeks Russian loan". The Daily Telegraph. 8 October 2008.
11. "Iceland May Ask for IMF Loan as Well as Borrowing From Russia". Bloomberg. 8 October 2008.
12. Brogger, Tasneem; Einarsdottir, Helga Kristin. "Icelandic Shoppers Splurge as Currency Woes Reduce Food Imports". Bloomberg, L.P. 13 October 2008.
13. Historical EUR/ISK exchange rate graphs, European Central Bank
14. Iceland crown international trade seen restarting soon, Guardian/Reuters, 6 November 2008
15. Bank, European Central. "Euro foreign exchange reference rates". European Central Bank. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
16. "USDISK=X : Summary for USD/ISK - Yahoo Finance". yahoo.com. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
17. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-02-03. Retrieved 2009-03-30.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
18. "Sandwiched". The Economist. 2008-07-24. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
19. http://www.ifo.de/pls/guestci/download/CESifo%20Forum%202006/CESifo%20Forum%202/2006/forum2-06-special.pdf
20. Olafsdottir, Audbjorg. "Euro support in Iceland hits five-year high". Reuters. 11 September 2007.
21. "Meirihluti andvígur upptöku evru" (Icelandic). Morgunblaðið. 30 September 2007.
22. Furlong, Ray. "Iceland's financial freeze". BBC. 3 October 2008.
23. Iceland to be fast-tracked into the EU, the Guardian
24. "Could EU Application Save Billions for Iceland?" Archived 2012-02-17 at the Wayback Machine, Iceland Review Online, 27 March 2009
25. Breedon, Francis; Pétursson, Thórarinn G. (1 September 2006). "Out in the cold? Iceland's trade performance outside the European Union and European Monetary Union". Cambridge Journal of Economics. 30 (5): 723–736. doi:10.1093/cje/bei105. Retrieved 2 April 2018 – via cje.oxfordjournals.org.
26. "Government considers Iceland no longer an EU candidate" Ministry for Foreign Affairs
27. "Canada ready to discuss letting Iceland use its dollar". icenews.is. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
28. McKenna, Barrie (2 March 2012). "Canadian envoy to Iceland sparks loonie controversy". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
29. "Arnór Sighvatsson: Iceland's future monetary and exchange rate regime" (PDF).
30. Hjaltadóttir, Jóhanna Vigdís (2018-10-18). "There are no magical solutions in currency". RÚV (in Icelandic). This reevaluation of monetary policy is made with the assumption that the krona will be the Icelandic currency for the near future. [...] The parties in power support using the krona as the Icelandic currency.

Sources

• Krause, Chester L.; Clifford Mishler (1991). Standard Catalog of World Coins: 1801–1991 (18th ed.). Krause Publications. ISBN 0873411501.
• Pick, Albert (1994). Standard Catalog of World Paper Money: General Issues. Colin R. Bruce II and Neil Shafer (editors) (7th ed.). Krause Publications. ISBN 0-87341-207-9.

External links

• Banknotes of Iceland: Icelandic Krona catalog
• The current banknotes of Iceland