First put into circulation in 1986. In November 2003 the Central Bank put an upgraded design of the 5,000 kr. note into circulation. Size: 70 x 155 mm. Predominant colour: blue on multicoloured underprint.
Obverse: Ragnheiður Jónsdóttir (1646-1715), third wife of Gísli Þorláksson, Bishop of Hólar; and the bishop and his two earlier wives, Gróa Þorleifsdóttir and Ingibjörg Benediktsdóttir. Reverse: Ragnheiður Jónsdóttir instructing two girls in embroidery, with initials from her pattern book at the side. The borders and main pattern on both sides, and the embroidered lettering on the obverse, are copied from the Laufáskirkja altar cloth at the National Museum of Iceland.
Blind recognition feature: three vertical lines intaglio-printed on the obverse.
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Security features
Security features have been used in banknotes for hundreds of years. The hand-written signature was one of the first security features and many others have since been added, such as specially processed paper, watermarks, security threads and intaglio printing. In recent years central banks have issued new notes with a wider, even more sophisticated range of security features. Others have upgraded their earlier notes with the same aim. The following shows the security features of the five thousand kr. banknote.
Micro-engraved lettering tint (melt)
The number 5000 is printed horizontally with blue shadowing at the top left of the obverse and is repeated on the reverse. When magnified, the shadowing of the numbers forms a continuous pattern of the abbreviation SÍ.
Blind recognition feature
Three vertical lines are intaglio-printed on the obverse to assist the visually handicapped in recognising this note.
Gold foil
An enlargement of the pattern from the underprint is reproduced on gold foil towards the top of the middle of the obverse. This foil cannot be photocopied. The name Ragnheiður Jónsdóttir and the date 1646-1715 are printed over the foil.
Electrotype watermark
Beside the portrait of Jón Sigurðsson is a electrotype watermark - the numerals 5000.
Microtext
Microtext beneath the portrait of Ragnheiður Jónsdóttir appears as an unbroken line to the naked eye, but when magnified, forms a continuous line with the words SEÐLABANKI ÍSLANDS.
Extra small print
On the right half of the obverse, by the upper and lower margins, is extra small print forming a continuous line with the words SEÐLABANKI ÍSLANDS.
Intaglio printing
On both sides of the note there is dark blue intaglio printing which can be detected by touch.
Type of paper
The paper is made of raw cotton with a different feel from that of normal paper.
Watermark
The watermark is a portrait of Jón Sigurðsson, leader of Iceland's independence movement. It is clearly visible on both sides of the note when held up to the light.
Security thread
The note has a multicoloured metallic thread embedded in the paper, 1.2 mm wide and windowed on the obverse. When held up to the light it appears as a continuous line. The cleartext inscription reads 5000 KR.
Red serial number on the obverse
The unique serial number of the note is printed in red on the obverse, but appears yellow under ultraviolet light.
Blink
A fluorescent green print enclosing the number 5000 is visible in the upper right-hand corner when the note is exposed to ultraviolet light.