• Sweden edition
Business & Money

Sweden shows off Garbo, Bergman banknotes

Published: 24 Apr 12 14:14 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/40448/20120424/

Sweden's Riksbank on Tuesday released the long-awaited designs of new banknotes featuring the likes of Greta Garbo, Ingmar Bergman, Astrid Lindgren, and other cultural giants of the 20th century.

The notes were designed by Göran Österlund, whose colourful "Journey of Culture" (Kulturresan) design was selected from among eight finalists.

Thursday's presentation of the new designs by the Riksbank comes a year after the bank first announced the six 20th century Swedish icons whose profiles would grace the new bills.

The face of Swedish film director Ingmar Bergman will adorn the new 200 kronor note, while children's author Astrid Lindgren will be the new face on the 20 kronor note, replacing the popular Selma Lagerlöf.

Former United Nations secretary-general Dag Hammarskjöld will feature on the 1,000 kronor note, opera singer Birgit Nilsson on the 500 kronor, film star Greta Garbo on the 100 kronor, and musician Evert Taube on the 50 kronor note.

Click here to see more images of Sweden's new banknotes

"It's been a difficult but stimulating task to pick a winner. All the contestants submitted ambitious and well worked suggestions, but in the end we were captivated by 'The Cultural Journey'," said Peter Egardt, a member of the Riksbank board of directors and chair of the banknote design selection jury, in a statement.

"The overall impression is a beautiful and user-friendly series of bills which are built on a well-weighed balance between something new and Swedish banknote tradition."

Österlund explained that his winning design as was meant to "let the bills take us on a journey from the Öresund Bridge in the south to the Treriksröset in the north," referencing the "Three Country Cairn" where the borders of Finland, Sweden, and Norway meet.

According to the Riksbank, notes bearing the new design are expected to enter general circulation in 2015.

The Local/dl
Follow The Local on Twitter

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Your comments about this article:

The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.

15:44 April 24, 2012 by J Jack
So I'll be feeding Dag Hammarskjöld into my gas tank soon.
15:59 April 24, 2012 by wolverine2k
I thought Sweden was moving towards paperless cash by 2015. In any case, I hope the old notes are out of circulation otherwise it will create quite a confusion. A 20SEK note is not a good sign as that would mean that the minimum denomination of 1SEK will be undermined.
16:32 April 24, 2012 by Svensksmith
What, no ABBA notes?
03:09 April 27, 2012 by Spuds MacKenzie
I love the new (and current) Swedish currency! It's sad that my homeland (USA) only has politicians on all banknotes. I would love to see Edison, Gershwin, John Wayne...or even Steve Jobs on U.S. bills. Those are the people who really defined America, not politicians.
09:52 September 15, 2012 by dukesy
As a foreigner looking in,( a Brit),maybe its time to update the bank notes,and at least the Swedish bank has told everyone before hand,unlike the Uk Government ,who replaced the last £20 note with a different design,and told no one,so many shops and businesses,including those of us in the `taxi` trade,were refusing to accept what turned out to be perfectly good bank notes.

The comment from Wolverine2k,about moving to `paperless currency`. To that person i would just say,dont call for that too soon,remember how much weight you could end up having in you pocket if you had only coins.

But whilst still on that point,I think its the Irish that have bank notes made of a `waxed paper` like material. I have had it presented to me as payment of fares,and i did think it a good idea,since paper,after a while gets very tatty and `sad` looking. Also Wolverine2k,i dont know about you,but i find that coins are a good way of wearing holes in your pockets.

Finally,and to comment on Svensksmith, while I would love to see Sweden honour `Abba with either a run of stamps,or on `bank notes`, here in UK,the person honoured by such a move,has first to have died. Im not sure about our stamps here in UK,obviously with the exception of our Queen on all notes and coins,im pretty sure all other depictions of famous people must be `deceased` first.

Whilst I would certainly buy a set of stamps,as we in UK call them.....a`first day cover`, and i dont collect stamps at all,but a set with all 4 of `Abba` would make an exception,as i would with same on bank notes, I`m in no hurry to see any of the `Foursome` depart from us. From what ive seen in press reports,and the like,all 4 may be in their 60`s now,but they are still active,and hopefully long to remain so.

There was a report on `you tube` of Agnetha,getting an award from `Elle` magazine, i have to say She looked fantastic. Apart from being a guy,if i look as fit and heathy as Her when im her age,ill be really happy.

Thats it for now....its nearly 9am here in UK,ive been at work all night,so ill say tack sa mycket och god natt pa UK. john
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
Business & Money headlines
H&M blames long winter for profit drop

H&M blames long winter for profit drop

Swedish clothes manufacturer H&M posted a larger than expected drop in quarterly profit on Wednesday, citing the unusually harsh winter in Europe and North America. READ () »

Sweden sells 6.4-percent stake in Nordea

Sweden sells 6.4-percent stake in Nordea

The Swedish government announced on Wednesday that it had sold 6.4 percent of its stake in Nordic banking giant Nordea, reducing its holding to 7.0 percent. READ () »

Aid cuts would be 'devastating'

Aid cuts would be 'devastating'

Criticism of the government's foreign aid policy is mounting as Swedish ambassadors, aid organizations and politicians slam Development Aid Minister Gunilla Carlsson's announcements that development assistance to several countries may be slashed. READ () »

Swedish forestry firm cuts 2,500 jobs

Swedish forestry firm cuts 2,500 jobs

Forestry giant Stora Enso plans to let another 2,500 employees go, of whom 750 work in Sweden, citing weak markets and deflating profits. READ () »

Sweden among winners in future EU-US deal

Sweden among winners in future EU-US deal

Sweden is second in line to benefit the most from an EU free-trade deal with the US, for which negotiations were finally given the all-clear in a move welcomed by pro-business groups in Sweden. READ () »

New Telia CEO 'excited' about the job

New Telia CEO 'excited' about the job

TeliaSonera's new head Johan Dennelind believes he is the right man to restore the Swedish telecom giant's reputation after the company's Uzbek bribery scandal. READ () »

ABB board unanimous in pick of CEO

ABB board unanimous in pick of CEO

Swiss-Swedish engineering giant ABB has appointed a new CEO, who has a background in oil and gas, utilities, telecoms and automotive industries and who was a key player in the acquisition of Baldor. READ () »

Wine pulled because it was 'too good': supplier

Wine pulled because it was 'too good': supplier

Sweden's state-run liquor store monopoly has sent back 6,000 bottles of a Spanish wine because it tasted better than expected, according to a Swedish alcohol supplier. READ () »

Sweden may cut aid to Palestinian territories

Sweden may cut aid to Palestinian territories

Development aid minister Gunilla Carlsson has said that the Swedish government may reduce development assistance for the Palestinians since they have failed to reach a peace agreement with Israel. READ () »

Gothenburg corruption blamed on city culture

Gothenburg corruption blamed on city culture

A hierarchical "Gothenburg Spirit" among politicians and civil servants contributed to a culture of corruption in the past decade, concluded a report on Sweden's second largest city. READ () »

More Business & Money

Find a new job in Sweden now
19/06 Application Manager
European Spallation Source ESS AB
SKÅ
19/06 C# Developer
Lund
19/06 Customer Service Representative - Distrupol
Distrupol
Malmo
19/06 GE Money Bank söker en senior riskanalytiker
GE Money Bank
Danderyd, STHM
19/06 GLOBAL COMMODITY MANAGER (m/w)
Göteborg
19/06 IT Communication and Support Officer
European Spallation Source ESS AB
SKÅ
19/06 Lighting Category Director
Schneider Electric
Malmö, SKÅ
19/06 Management Consultant to Global Business Services Advisory Services with Shared Services and Outsourcing Advisory experience
Stockholm
19/06 Senior Consultant
Stockholm
19/06 Senior Consultant
Solna

ALL JOBS »


 
Latest Business & Money news from Germany
Trade binary options
Create an account with Banc De Binary, the world’s most reputable binary options firm, and start cashing in today! You can start by practicing with our free $50,000 demo account.
www.bbinary.com
Therapy in English
Expat counsellor & talk therapist offers counselling for stress, relationship issues, sexuality, culture adjustment & life coaching. Private & confidential. Stockholm or Skype. Contact me today! 08-559 22 636 or
CLICK HERE
The Local's new Marketplace
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
Counseling in English
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now