Seðlarnir

Seðlarnir is the Icelandic term for banknotes, the physical currency used in Iceland. The singular form seðill means a banknote or bill, and the definite plural form seðlarnir refers to the banknotes in a given context. In financial writing and everyday speech, seðlarnir are discussed as the tangible form of money issued for transactions and stored value.

Banknotes in Iceland are issued by the Central Bank of Iceland (Seðlabanki Íslands) and have the status of legal tender. The central bank is responsible for designing, printing, distributing, and withdrawing banknotes as part of maintaining monetary stability and currency integrity. Damaged or mutilated notes may be exchanged or replaced under established rules, and banknotes circulate alongside coins (mynt) as components of the monetary system.

Design and security features vary across series but generally include elements intended to deter counterfeiting, such as watermarks, security threads, holographic or optically variable elements, microprinting, and tactile features like raised printing. Designs commonly reflect Icelandic heritage, landscapes, and cultural symbols, and series updates are undertaken to enhance security and reflect national identity.

In usage, seðlarnir are the cash portion of the currency and are referred to in everyday commerce, banking, and media coverage of monetary policy and exchange rates. The term also appears in legal and financial texts as part of discussions about the currency and its management, distinguishing banknotes from coins and other financial instruments.