Denmark Issues Upgraded Banknotes with RAPID® - and Selects Crane Currency for New Series

The central bank of Denmark (Danmarks Nationalbank) has continued its ongoing security upgrade of the entire banknote series by putting new 100- and 200-krone banknotes into circulation. The upgraded banknotes are equipped with advanced security features, including the 5 mm RAPID® security thread from Crane Currency. The Bank has also announced plans for a completely new series of banknotes to be designed in cooperation with Crane.

The pattern of the RAPID threads in the upgraded notes are inspired by the waves of the Baltic Sea.

Starting with an upgrade of the 500-krone banknote, Danmarks Nationalbank has kept the series’ clean Scandinavian style but added new technology, effectively securing them while a new series is conceived, designed and produced.

The current upgraded banknotes have a similar design to existing banknotes, but with one big difference: a 5 mm RAPID® security thread from Crane Currency has been integrated into the note’s obverse for quicker public authentication. The last of the upgraded notes, the 50-krone, enter circulation in 2025.

The upgraded 100- and 200 kroner. — The upgraded 100- and 200-krone banknotes.

Keeping the Public First

Acknowledging the important role cash plays in a resilient, modern economy, Danmarks Nationalbank announced in October its plans for an entirely new series of banknotes to be designed in close cooperation with Crane Currency.

The central bank’s decision followed months of conceptualization work on the new currency, and in the spirit of keeping the public first, solicited direct input from all citizens of Denmark and Greenland. The survey asked to rate the achievements, people and themes selected by the new banknote series commission to gauge importance and relevance as well as offer the opportunity to make their own suggestions.

The outreach saw more than 76,000 Danish and Greenlandic citizens participate. A comprehensive report (in English) on the survey, and the subjects and themes of the new banknotes has been published by the central bank.

Daniel Krarup Rosenstrøm, Head of Procurement and Quality in Cash Supply, commented on the selection of Crane Currency as its partner in realizing the new currency design:

"We look forward to working with Crane Currency on the design of the next Danish banknotes. With their extensive experience and desire to translate our vision, we believe that security and expression will go hand in hand.”

The new series is expected to issue from 2028.