Basic Country Data:
Country ISO Code: NO
Official Language: Norwegian (Bokmål)
Language ISO Code: nb
Current Official Currency: Norwegian krone
Current Currency ISO Code: NOK
ISO Code: NOK
Singular Name: krone
Plural Name: kroner
Monetary Subdivision: 1 krone = 100 øre
Subdivision Name Singular: øre
Subdivision Name Plural: øre
Initial Production Date: 1875
Final Production Date: ongoing
Initial Circulation Date: 1875
Final Circulation Date: currently in circulation
Mint: Norwegian Mint (Det Norske Myntverket), Kongsberg
Issuing Bank: Norges Bank (Central Bank of Norway)
Coin Denominations: 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 øre (smaller coins have been withdrawn from circulation but remain legal tender), 1, 5, 10, 20 kroner
Banknote Denominations: 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 kroner
Designs / Symbols on Coins and Banknotes:
Coins feature portraits of Norwegian kings, native fauna, and natural motifs with inscriptions in Norwegian.
Banknotes depict notable Norwegian historical figures, cultural elements, and national landscapes, incorporating advanced security features.
Economic Historical Context:
The Norwegian krone was introduced in 1875, replacing the speciedaler, as part of the Scandinavian Monetary Union, which lasted until 1914.
After the union dissolved, the krone remained Norway’s national currency.
The currency has undergone several reforms to control inflation and modernize the monetary system.
Smaller øre coins have been gradually withdrawn from circulation due to inflation and production costs; the smallest coin currently in circulation is the 1 krone.
Mints / Production Locations:
Coins are produced at the Norwegian Mint in Kongsberg.
Banknotes are printed by Norges Bank and specialized printing houses in Europe.
Print Runs / Quantities Produced / Honorees and Signatures:
Print runs vary according to annual demand.
Commemorative coins are occasionally issued to mark national and international events such as Norway’s independence centenary and the Winter Olympics.
Banknotes bear signatures of the Governor and Chief Financial Officer of Norges Bank.
Current Circulation Status: active and widely used throughout Norway
Issuing Authority: Norges Bank
Relevant Monetary Legislation:
The Norges Bank Act regulates currency issuance and circulation.
Specific regulations govern denominations and withdrawal of smaller coins.
Persons Honored on Coins and Banknotes:
Notable figures include playwright Henrik Ibsen, painter Edvard Munch, and explorer Fridtjof Nansen.