Information on Riksdag decision to declare some older banknotes and coins invalid

Date 09/11/2004

The Riksdag (the Swedish parliament) decided on 27 October 2004, following a proposal from the Riksbank, that some older series of banknotes and coins shall cease being legal tender after 31 December 2005.

The following banknotes and coins are covered by the decision:

• All of the silver-coloured 50-öre coins will become invalid. However, the copper-coloured 50-öre coins will remain legal tender.

Invalid with effect from 1 January 2006 (NB. Even older silver-coloured 50-öre coins than those depicted here will become invalid):

Coins that are still valid:

• The older, slightly larger type of 20-kronor note will become invalid. However, the newer, slightly smaller 20-kronor banknote with the purple shade – which is the one most commonly used now – will remain legal tender.

Invalid with effect from 1 January 2006. Measurements: 72 x 130 millimetres

Banknote that is still valid. Measurements: 67 x 120 millimetres
         

• The older 100-kronor and 500-kronor banknotes will become invalid. However, the banknotes in these denominations that have foil strips and see-through pictures will remain legal tender.

Invalid with effect from 1 January 2006:

Banknote remaining valid:

Invalid with effect from 1 January 2006:

Banknote remaining valid:   (*New picture of the 500-kronor note)

The background to the decision to declare certain banknotes and coins invalid is a desire to reduce the number of parallel versions in circulation. It will make it easier for the general public to acquire a good knowledge of the appearance and security details in the banknotes and coins. Moreover, practical cash management will be simpler with fewer versions of banknotes and coins in circulation.

The banknotes and coins concerned will be gradually withdrawn during the remaining period of just over one year until they become invalid. The retail trade and banks will receive regular information updates and a large-scale information campaign is planned for autumn 2005.

Special regulations apply to redeeming banknotes that are already invalid, such as the 500-kronor banknote with a blue shade. More information can be obtained on the Riksbank's website, www.riksbank.se.