Norway's New Currency Takes An Artistic Turn The new currency design is set to roll out in Norway in 2017.

By Pamella de Leon

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No, your eyes are fine and these banknotes aren't something out of Minecraft. Actually, it's the new Norway currency design, set to roll out into circulation in 2017. Norges Bank, the central bank of Norway, released artistic currency motifs by two Oslo-based design firms, chosen among proposals from a competition. The designers were tasked with trying to depict the ocean in works of art as homage to the Norwegian national identity.

Norway's New Currency

Image credit: Norges Bank

The front takes a more traditional approach by presenting depictions of life at sea, designed by The Metric System and Terje Tønnessen titled Norwegian Living Space. It's a cool contrast to the pixelated colored seascapes on the back, a series called Ripple Effects by Enzo Finger. A bit of trivia? Besides the fact that the banknotes are a fusion of modern and traditional art, it has a surprise element that you'll notice only if you look closely- the higher the values of the banknotes are, the more abstract the pixelated artworks become.

Pamella de Leon

Startup Section Editor, Entrepreneur Middle East

Pamella de Leon is the Startup Section Editor at Entrepreneur Middle East. She is keen on the MENA region’s entrepreneurship potential, with a specific interest to support enterprises and individuals creating an impact.

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